Which disease is caused by a hidden virus?
cold sore
cystic fibrosis
common cold
flu
Both the common cold and flu are caused by hidden viruses.
The disease caused by a hidden virus can be the common cold or flu. Both these highly contagious respiratory illnesses are caused by different types of viruses, such as rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, or influenza viruses.
The disease caused by a hidden virus among the given options is the common cold.
To understand why, let's look at each option:
1. Cold Sore: Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2) and are not considered a hidden virus. The virus remains dormant in the body until triggered by factors like stress or a weakened immune system.
2. Cystic Fibrosis: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene and is unrelated to viruses.
3. Common Cold: The common cold is typically caused by rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and other respiratory viruses. Many of these viruses are considered "hidden" because they are difficult to detect and can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces, or close contact with an infected person.
4. Flu: The flu, or influenza, is caused by influenza viruses, which are not generally considered hidden viruses. Influenza viruses are well-known and extensively studied.
Therefore, among the given options, the common cold is the disease caused by a hidden virus. The best way to confirm this would be through a medical diagnosis by a healthcare professional, who can perform tests to identify the specific viral cause of the common cold.