A leading respiratory physician at the Belfast Trust, Dr Joe Kidney, has described those most at risk of getting sick as a result of a rhinovirus that commonly develops in humans as the common cold. It comes as the Department of Health has asked people with rhinovirus symptoms to stay home and isolate themselves, even if they have tested negative for Covid. Read more: Ministry of Health advises those with rhinovirus symptoms to stay home Dr Kidney said most people who are infected with rhinovirus only experience the symptoms of the common cold, but there are some groups who are at higher risk of developing a more serious infection, such as asthmatics, those with COPD or a weakened immune system. He said about 12% of the population has the virus in their nose at all times and is very likely to reproduce at colder temperatures. Due to their changing nature, it can be difficult to develop complete immunity in them and it is possible to become infected with a rhinovirus within weeks of their recovery. Speaking to Belfast Live, Dr Kidney said: “I think we all have about six colds a year under normal circumstances and our bodies may have forgotten that during the lockdown. “Most of them are rhinoviruses and there are about 12% of us who have a rhinovirus in our nose at all times and they like to reproduce at colder temperatures, such as 32 degrees instead of 37, which is our body temperature. So, when it gets cold outside it repeats itself in our nose, which is why we call them colds. “Most of the symptoms are cold, cough, runny nose, sinusitis and can make you feel rotten but often not very sick, where the flu is much more likely to cause fever. Although you can still have rhinovirus pain as well. “The point is now that we are looking at people with runny nose and we want to know if they have a coronavirus and the answer is that they may have it, but with a runny nose that may actually be a rhinovirus.” Dr Kidney said that while most people only have cold-like symptoms from a rhinovirus, there are high-risk groups, with the virus causing about 80% of asthma exacerbations. He continued: “Poorly controlled asthmatics are a real risk group and they are people who should be taking preventative treatment, coffee or red inhaler. They feel good between episodes, so they feel an urgent need to take medication because they succeed. their sedatives or their blue inhalers, and then they can get very sick with rhinovirus infection, so rhinovirus is probably responsible for 80% of asthma exacerbations and while it is very uncommon now, asthma deaths occur. “What I was saying is that the common cold can be unusually dangerous for some people. “The other thing that makes them very sick is those with COPD and the flare-up is the second most common cause for people who go to the hospital.” Dr Kidney warned that Northern Ireland was currently experiencing almost the highest number of coronavirus cases, with Scotland recording the highest rate ever last week. However, he says progress in treating the virus has proved very effective, with NI having the lowest mortality rate of any country in the UK. He said: “The great thing about the coronavirus is the vaccine, the people who were very sick with the coronavirus in the past are not now and the vaccine was a huge success, it was one of the greatest victories of science in this century. . Read more related articles Read more related articles “Our huge achievement was the vaccine and it would be bad for me not to mention all the drugs that were developed during the trials have changed people terribly. “We had many innovative treatments at Mater, Covid Hospital in Belfast. Many patients took part and we tried about 11 drugs, four of which are now in use, and it fundamentally changed the way we do things. “It was really a roll up your sleeves and complete this job and the people were remarkable. It was great to see that collectively we could find new treatments and see them spread before our eyes, it was great to make that change. “My colleagues, especially my nurses, really contributed to the success. Now we have different populations, but we do not have the same prosperity as parts of England and yet we had low mortality. If we had mortality rates in English, we would have 5,000 deaths, no 3,000, but we really rolled up our sleeves and tried to make sure everyone got the best treatment. “ The doctor issued a final warning about rhinovirus, saying: “We have been sticking to them for years and if you are healthy you will catch a cold, but if you are sensitive it can make you sicker. “People with asthma need to take their preventive medications, they may be between infections and they can get rhinovirus and COPD often takes people to the hospital. It is better not to take them if you are vulnerable. I’m worried about older people who take care of young people, can be a big spreader of these colds “. Read more: The minister says that the findings of the care home inspection are “clearly very worrying” Read more: Robin Swann says new health minister will have “a lot of work to do” For the latest breaking news directly to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter here.
