Rhinovirus is the most common virus causing the common cold, with around 100 types. It can be transmitted through the air or by direct contact and can survive outside the body for up to three hours. Symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, sneezing, headache, and sinus congestion. There is no vaccine, and the best ways to deal with the virus include rest and fluids. Scientists are skeptical that a vaccine will appear soon.
Rhinovirus is one of more than 200 viruses responsible for the common cold. It is the most common virus affecting humans, with estimates that it is the culprit for one-third to one-half of all colds contracted. There are around 100 types of rhinovirus, or rinovira, and unfortunately vaccines against it have yet to be discovered.
Rhinoviruses can be easily transmitted through the air or by direct contact with a contaminated surface or person. Plus, they can survive outside the body for up to three hours, only helping its chances of infecting people. Most people get infected by touching an infected object and then touching their nose, mouth or eyes. Consequently, preventive practices of washing hands and not touching the face may be advisable.
Although the rhinovirus is most active in the spring through early fall, most people tend to become infected in the fall and winter. Contrary to popular belief, however, being physically cold is not a prerequisite for catching a cold. Colds are more prevalent in the winter, less so because people are physically cold and mostly because people tend to stay indoors more often, increasing the chances of cross-contamination and infection.
Those infected with the rhinovirus usually start showing symptoms within two days of being infected. These symptoms typically include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, sneezing, headache, and sinus congestion. It is a virus that grows best at temperatures slightly below the normal body temperature of 98.6° Fahrenheit (37.0° Celsius), which is one of the reasons it grows in the nose and upper respiratory tract.
Unfortunately, there are no medical treatments that directly target the virus. The average, healthy immune system can usually fight off the infection within a few days, however, the best ways to deal with the virus include getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids. Cold medications usually ease symptoms, but they don’t actually fight or kill the virus. Most infections go away in about a week.
Despite being one of the most widely studied and widespread viruses, scientists are skeptical that a vaccine for rhinovirus will appear any time soon. Because there are so many different types of rhinoviruses, as well as other viruses that can also cause colds, it’s unlikely that a vaccine can be developed that completely eliminates the viruses that cause colds. Instead, healthcare professionals typically recommend people wash their hands regularly, keep their hands away from their faces, and avoid those who are already infected.
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