Respiratory diseases of all kinds are prevalent in winter, and many people have unfortunately been affected.
Did you know that besides influenza viruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, rhinovirus is also one of the most common pathogens causing human respiratory tract infections?
So, what are the symptoms after rhinovirus infection? And how to prevent it? Let’s find out together.
What Is Rhinovirus
Rhinovirus is one of the most common viruses in daily life and a major cause of the common cold. It is responsible for approximately 30%–50% of colds in adults and around 15% of colds in children, earning it the title of the “king of cold viruses”.
Rhinovirus circulates globally and has numerous known serotypes, which is one of the key reasons why humans catch colds repeatedly. Its transmission shows obvious seasonality: in temperate regions, spring and autumn are the peak infection periods. The virus spreads easily in crowded places such as schools, offices, and households, often leading to clustered outbreaks.
Main Symptoms of Rhinovirus Infection
The incubation period of rhinovirus infection is very short, usually 1 to 3 days. The virus can enter the epithelial cells of the nose and throat, replicate in large quantities, and stimulate local inflammation, thereby triggering cold symptoms such as nasal congestion and clear nasal discharge.
For infants, young children, or children with underlying diseases, rhinovirus infection may also lead to lower respiratory tract infection symptoms such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
At the same time, rhinovirus infection is also one of the main causes of wheezing and asthma exacerbation in children.
Elderly people infected with rhinovirus face an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which may result in prolonged hospital stays or even death.
Differences Between Rhinovirus and Influenza Virus
Rhinovirus mainly causes mild common colds, with typical symptoms including normal or slightly elevated body temperature, a short course of illness, and localized symptoms. Most patients recover on their own within a week, and severe complications are extremely rare. Rhinovirus can occur sporadically throughout the year, with higher incidence in autumn and winter. There are no specific drugs or vaccines for it, and the most effective preventive measures are non-pharmaceutical methods such as frequent handwashing.
Influenza virus, on the other hand, causes severe, systemic influenza, characterized by sudden high fever, significant fatigue, and general muscle aches. Respiratory symptoms are relatively minor, but the risk of developing severe complications like pneumonia is high. Influenza has obvious seasonality, with a prominent peak in winter, and there are specific antiviral drugs and annual vaccines available.
Transmission Routes of Rhinovirus
Rhinovirus spreads mainly through two routes:
- Droplet transmission: Released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- Contact transmission: Direct contact with an infected person, or indirect contact by touching mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, etc., after touching surfaces contaminated by the virus.
Treatment Principles for Rhinovirus Infection
The core of treatment is symptomatic and supportive care to relieve discomfort and wait for the body’s immune system to eliminate the virus.
Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses and should only be used under the guidance of a doctor when there is clear evidence of secondary bacterial infection.
Prevention of Rhinovirus Infection
Currently, there are no vaccines or specific drugs to prevent or treat rhinovirus infection. Strengthening personal protection is an important means of prevention:
- Wash hands frequently and pay attention to personal hand hygiene; avoid touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with hands after contacting public items.
- Wear masks scientifically in crowded places.
- Keep rooms well-ventilated by opening windows often, and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, light switches, and tabletops.
- Maintain a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and ensure adequate intake of vitamins and proteins.
- Exercise regularly, rest properly, and enhance your own immunity.
In addition, physiological seawater nasal sprays can be used daily to rinse the nasal cavity as a safe and effective physical protection method. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes that “when healthy qi is abundant inside the body, pathogenic factors cannot invade”. It is recommended that, under the guidance of a doctor’s syndrome differentiation, people with qi-deficiency constitution can take Yupingfeng Powder to replenish qi and strengthen the exterior, or wear traditional Chinese medicine sachets containing patchouli, mugwort leaves, etc., for aromatic disinfection and pathogen repellent.
