We have all been there. We start coughing and getting a runny nose and with no other analysis we conclude that we have the common cold. The common cold at the surface level may look familiar. But have you asked yourself what causes the common cold? Surprise, surprise; the common cold is a symptom of a virus… and it is not called “the common cold virus”.
The viruses
According to the CDC, the common cold can be caused by several respiratory viruses. These include rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza viruses, adenovirus, common human coronaviruses, and human metapneumovirus. *
Get to know these viruses. Download our respiratory pathogens educational poster.
Testing
With the focus on COVID-19 in the last years, testing for common cold-causing viruses declined significantly. This came as a reflection of the pandemic emergency which saw testing directed to SARS-CoV-2. While COVID-19 testing is a top priority for many countries around the world, it is a good time to use those lessons learned and apply them to the viruses causing the common cold.
Testing solutions
Since the pandemic, organizations like the CDC have recommended multiplex molecular testing. This comes because COVID-19, influenza, and RSV present infection symptoms that overlap. Something similar happens with the viruses that cause the common cold. Thermo Fisher Scientific just release the Applied Biosystems TaqPath Respiratory Viral Select Panel; a CE-IVD marked multiplex PCR test for Adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, Rhinovirus / Enterovirus, and Parainfluenza 1/2/3/4.
This test enables laboratories to differentiate between infections and gives healthcare providers a better idea of what is causing the common cold symptoms. The TaqPath Respiratory Viral Select Panel assay has been validated for use with nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs obtained from individuals exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory tract infection.
Why choose Thermo Fisher Scientific?
In a time when getting answers quickly is critical, Thermo Fisher Scientific—a global leader in COVID-19 testing—is leveraging its scale and resources to help the world move forward. With innovative solutions and a reliable supply chain already helping to meet the unprecedented demand for trusted COVID-19 testing, we are continuing to expand our high-quality solutions and urgently accelerate innovation to address current and future challenges.
Get ready for the influx of respiratory virus testing that comes in Autumn / Winter!
Request more information today!
*Common Colds: Protect Yourself and Others. (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 16, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html