Rhinoviruses

The rhinovirus (from the Ancient Greek: ῥίς, romanized: rhis "nose", gen ῥινός, romanized: rhinos "of the nose", and the Latin: vīrus) is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Enterovirus in the family Picornaviridae. Rhinovirus is the most common viral infectious agent in humans and is the predominant cause of the common cold, causing at least 50% of cold infections. The three species of rhinovirus (A, B, and C) include at least 165 recognized types that differ according to their surface antigens or genetics. They are among the smallest viruses, with diameters of about 30 nanometers. By comparison, other viruses, such as smallpox and vaccinia, are around ten times larger at about 300 nanometers, while influenza viruses are around 80–120 nanometers. Rhinoviruses are transmitted through aerosols, respiratory droplets, fomites, and direct person-to-person contact. They primarily infect nasal epithelial cells 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 immunocompromised. Rhinoviruses are also recognized as a major cause of asthma exacerbations. As of September 2025, there were no FDA-approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for rhinovirus infection.