Rhinovirus
(Redirected from Rhinoviruses)
Rhinoviruses are a group of viruses belonging to the Picornaviridae family, which are responsible for many upper respiratory infections, commonly known as the common cold.[1] There are more than 100 identified types of rhinovirus that contribute to seasonal epidemics worldwide.[2]
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Rhinoviruses are small, icosahedral viruses composed of a single-stranded RNA genome. They are non-enveloped and possess positive-sense RNA.[3] There are three species of rhinoviruses: Rhinovirus A, Rhinovirus B, and Rhinovirus C, each containing numerous individual serotypes.[4]
Disease[edit | edit source]
Rhinoviruses are the most common viral infective agents in humans, and are the predominant cause of the common cold. Symptoms of a rhinovirus infection include sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and sometimes accompanied by headache, muscle aches, fatigue, malaise, and loss of appetite.[5] While these infections are usually mild, they can lead to severe disease in people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and those with chronic respiratory diseases.
Transmission[edit | edit source]
Rhinoviruses are spread through the air and close personal contact. They can also be spread by touching an object or surface with the virus on it and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.[6]
Prevention and Treatment[edit | edit source]
Prevention of rhinovirus infection is by good personal hygiene, including hand washing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and not touching the face with unwashed hands. There is no specific treatment for rhinovirus infection. Management involves relieving symptoms such as fever and aches with over-the-counter medications, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting plenty of rest.[7]
Research[edit | edit source]
Research into more effective treatments and potential vaccines for rhinovirus infections is ongoing. Due to the large number of rhinovirus serotypes, creating a vaccine has been challenging.[8]
See also[edit | edit source]
Further reading[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
| Components |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Viral life cycle | ||
| Genetics | ||
| By host | ||
| Other | ||
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
