Why does the common cold, caused by Rhinoviruses, differ fundamentally from bacterial pneumonia (Streptococcus pneumoniae) in terms of respiratory pathology?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Rhinoviruses infect the nose and upper respiratory tract while sparing pulmonary alveoli

  1. Step 1: The common cold is caused by a group of viruses called Rhinoviruses.
  2. Step 2: Rhinoviruses infect the epithelial mucosal lining of the nose and upper respiratory tract, causing nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sore throat, and cough, but crucially do not infect the lungs.
  3. Step 3: In contrast, pneumonia (caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae) infects the terminal respiratory units, causing severe inflammation of the alveoli, which become filled with fluid and purulent exudate, severely compromising gas exchange.
Answer
Rhinoviruses infect only the epithelial lining of the nose and upper respiratory passages, sparing the lungs, whereas pneumonia infects the alveoli, filling them with inflammatory fluid
Why not the others: 'Rhinoviruses destroy the vocal cords...' is clinically false; 'Rhinoviruses are treated with penicillin...' is scientifically incorrect because antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections; 'Rhinoviruses cause acute cavitation in the diaphragm...' is anatomically absurd.

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