Rhinovirus

The rhinovirus is a <a href="/facts/Positive-sense_single_stranded_RNA_virus/XTV7bbGJ">positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus</a> belonging to the <a href="/facts/Genus/m8EFjSms">genus</a> <a href="/facts/Enterovirus/9MyW6zdk">Enterovirus</a> in the family <a href="/facts/Picornaviridae/QmeWDCDr">Picornaviridae</a>. Rhinovirus is the most common viral infectious agent in humans and is the predominant cause of the <a href="/facts/Common_cold/fP9A03U9">common cold</a>.
The three species of rhinovirus (A, B, and C) include at least 165 recognized types that differ according to their surface <a href="/facts/Antigens/9JlAernG">antigens</a> or <a href="/facts/Genetics/bu8wne0A">genetics</a>. They are among the smallest viruses, with diameters of about 30 nanometers. By comparison, other viruses, such as <a href="/facts/Smallpox/cxNeetP4">smallpox</a> and <a href="/facts/Vaccinia/jSgHWq2k">vaccinia</a>, are around ten times larger at about 300 <a href="/facts/Nanometer/a98sjHyu">nanometers</a>, while <a href="/facts/Orthomyxoviridae/3gqqgCMp">influenza viruses</a> are around 80–120 nm.
Rhinoviruses are transmitted through <a href="/facts/Aerosol/X1jXFLp2">aerosols</a>, respiratory droplets, <a href="/facts/Fomite/0sTjFaIR">fomites</a>, and direct person-to-person contact. They primarily infect nasal <a href="/facts/Epithelial_cells/ecKHcHC3">epithelial cells</a> in the airway and cause mild symptoms such as sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion. However, rhinovirus infection can cause more severe disease in infants, the elderly, and the <a href="/facts/Immunocompromised/CIEujXmc">immunocompromised</a>. Rhinoviruses are also recognized as a major cause of <a href="/facts/Asthma/7GkJvxn3">asthma</a> exacerbations.
As of April 2024, there are no <a href="/facts/FDA/fMfdaRAa">FDA</a>-approved <a href="/facts/Vaccines/QcXzLug2">vaccines</a> or antiviral treatments for rhinovirus infection.

Rhinovirus open-in-new

Rhinovirus