Rhinovirus is considered the most common cause of a cold but is thought to also cause sinus infections, ear infections, and is known to also trigger asthma episodes. Symptoms caused by Rhinovirus include sore throat, runny nose, coughing, and sneezing. The illness usually lasts about 7-10 days with an incubation period of 2-5 days. It is estimated that adults, on average, can suffer from 2-3 colds per year, and children are infected generally more often. This respiratory virus is thought to cause millions of infections each year. Transmission occurs in the same manner as other respiratory viruses, and handwashing is key to prevention and reducing the spread of the illness. Infections with Rhinovirus can also cause an increase in the adherence of Streptococcus pneumoniae to the respiratory epithelial cells leading to the potential for a secondary bacterial infection.
Rhinovirus is a nonenveloped, positive sense RNA virus with a capsid. This virus belongs to the Picornaviridae family. Rhinovirus is the smallest in this group of respiratory viruses, with a 15-30 nm range in diameter.
There are canyons on the surface that provide areas to attach to the host cell. There are over 100 subtypes and over 1,000 serotypes.
