Quote Originally Posted by Dreamsof83 View Post
Common cold is most classically a rhinovirus. Highly prevalent but not something that is dangerous. Low level exposure throughout life builds immunity. Only extremely frail would be likely to come to any harm

Flu is an influenza virus. Behaves quite differently with frequent alterations. Degree of cross immunity that we hold, but these shifts in structure create "new" challenges and predictable flu seasons. Can cause pandemic if there is a large antigenic shift and becomes in effect "very new" to all humans. Vaccination one of the best developments in recent years to help against impact. Because the virus alters and therefore immunity not maintained disproportionately impacts those with least innate immunity- older/frailer despite being carried most commonly by younger people. Hence vaccinating children tobreduce prevalence is a desirable approach.

Coronaviruses are subtly different to both these. You have little cross immunity to different coronaviruses and as such they all present as brand new. Each coronavirus has varying severity. The perfect virus to create pandemic. Vaccination is the only answer really. Previous coronaviruses (SARS/MERS etc. were not as successful due to their innate properties and short incubation periods)
Absolutely amazing that the biotechnology has delivered these vaccines as quickly and even better that process can be reproduced for any future coronavirus threats.

They are all the same though in how they are spread. Droplets and aerosol spread so
contact and distance precautions against one help against all of these.

Ultimately subtly different but essentially the same!
A very well written post DO83, take it you're no a brickie or anything along those lines mate