About Rhinoviruses

Español

Key points

  • Most rhinovirus infections are mild, but they can cause serious illness in higher-risk populations.
  • There is no vaccine, treatment, or medicine to prevent or cure illness caused by rhinoviruses.
  • You can take steps to reduce your risk of getting infected with rhinoviruses and reduce the risk of their spread.
Father helps wipe daughter's nose

Overview

Rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause of the common cold and are a common viral trigger for asthma attacks. Most rhinovirus infections cause no symptoms or mild symptoms.

They can also cause severe illness, especially if you have a weakened immune system, asthma, or another underlying medical condition.

People who are at increased risk for severe infection include:

  • Children born prematurely
  • People who are infected with more than one respiratory virus
  • People who are immunocompromised
  • Children with one parent with a hypersensitive immune system

There are different rhinovirus types. Rhinoviruses are part of the same virus group as non-polio enteroviruses and have some similar properties to enterovirus D68. Rhinoviruses usually spread year-round, but activity tends to rise in early fall and spring.

Tip

You can take steps to reduce your risk of getting a respiratory virus or spreading one to others. Read CDC's Respiratory Virus Guidance.

Signs and symptoms

You may have no signs or symptoms when you are infected with a rhinovirus. If you do develop symptoms, they often last less than 7 days but can last up to 2 weeks. Your symptoms can be like those of other respiratory infections. They are more likely to turn serious for groups at increased risk for severe illness.

Common signs and symptoms include:

  • Runny nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Cough
  • Sneezing
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Mild body aches
  • Fever

More severe illness is less common but can include:

  • Asthma attack and reactive airway disease (wheezing, difficulty breathing)
  • Middle ear infections (infection behind the ear drum)
  • Sinus infections
  • Bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways)
  • Bronchitis (infection of the large airways)
  • Pneumonia (infection of the lungs)

Learn about managing your symptoms and when to seek medical care.

Prevention

You can take steps to reduce your risk of getting rhinoviruses and reduce the risk of spread if you get sick. Learn about:

Testing

Healthcare providers typically do not test for rhinovirus infection. However, providers should consider rhinovirus testing during the early fall and spring, when rhinoviruses are commonly circulating. In people with severe illness, a provider may order testing for rhinovirus or can test as part of a panel that can detect both viruses and bacteria.

Infection with rhinovirus are usually confirmed by:

  • Direct detection of viral genome by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), and
  • Direct detection of viral antigens in respiratory secretions using immunofluorescence or enzyme immunoassay

Treatment

Currently, there is no specific antiviral therapy to treat rhinovirus and no vaccine to prevent rhinovirus. Medical care is supportive, and most people will recover on their own. If you get sick, you should:

  • drink plenty of liquids
  • stay home and rest

Treatments for Children

Do not use over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in children under 2 years of age unless specifically directed by a healthcare provider. Cough and cold medicines can result in serious and sometimes life-threatening side effects in young children.
Print
Content Source:
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division