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Common Respiratory Tract Infections as Psychological Entities: A Review of the Mood and Performance Effects of Being I11
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 13:25 authored by Mahoney, TD, Ball, PJThe clinical manifestations associated with colds and influenza overshadow the equally important mood and performance impairments. While decreased alertness and increased anxiety can be considered side effects of symptomatology, symptoms alone may not be responsible for the psychomotor and attention deficits of colds and influenza, respectively. An alternative hypothesis, as proposed in this review, suggests that the immune response, in the form of a cytokine cascade, may be responsible for both the physical and psychological symptoms. In particular, patterns of cytokine production for each infection will dictate the symptoms and performance deficits both within and between viruses. This hypothesis can be extended to incorporate infectious mononucleosis, as well as colds and influenza. The efficacy of symptom-based over-the-counter medications is then called into question.
History
Publication title
Australian PsychologistVolume
37Pagination
86-94ISSN
0005-0067Department/School
School of Psychological SciencesPublisher
The Australian Psychological Society LimitedPlace of publication
Melbourne, VictoriaRepository Status
- Restricted