Ricky the Rhinovirus floated through the air while saying, "I'm a virus. I must enter a body to live and make copies!"

“I’m a virus. I must enter a body to live and make copies!”

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Viruses are tiny, nonliving pathogens. They invade cells and use them to reproduce.

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 “I’m getting in through her nose!”

Mia touched a doorknob, then rubbed her nose.... Ricky then cheered, "I'm getting in through her nose!"

The pathogen is rhinovirus. It causes a disease called the common cold.

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Ricky spread through droplets and touch. After 1–3 days, Mia began to feel sick.

Mia sneezed and had a runny nose. Her throat hurt, and she felt very tired

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Later, Mia coughed and had a headache. These symptoms can last several days.

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First defense: skin. Skin blocks pathogens by forming a strong barrier that keeps most germs out.

Next, mucus trapped Ricky. Mucus is sticky and catches pathogens so they cannot travel deeper.