Rhinoviruses can also be spread through close personal contact with an infected person, such as shaking hands or hugging. These droplets can enter another person’s body if they breathe them in, or if they touch a surface contaminated with the virus and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. Rhinoviruses are spread through respiratory droplets that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This is also when other respiratory viruses may circulate, such as Adenoviruses, Influenza, and RSV. Rhinoviruses usually occur year-round but tend to rise in early fall and spring. What time of the year are people most likely to get infected Rhinoviruses are part of the same virus group as Non-polio Enteroviruses, and have some similar properties to Enterovirus D68.
There are many different rhinovirus types. Rhinoviruses are commonly detected in children hospitalized for respiratory illness. Most rhinovirus infections are mild, but they can cause severe illness, especially in people with weakened immune systems, asthma, or other underlying medical conditions. In the United States, children have an average of two rhinovirus infections each year, and adults have an average of one. Rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause of the common cold.
