Same symptoms, different culprits: A brief discussion on rhinovirus

In the cold season or during the peak season of influenza, do you often feel stuffy nose, runny nose, and sore throat, but when you go to the hospital for influenza checkup, the result is negative. Did the laboratory check it out accurately? Is it effective to use Tamiflu to treat influenza? These questions not only confuse patients, but also many clinicians. In fact, the rhinovirus is likely to be the cause of these flu-like symptoms. Rhinovirus, a term that sounds a little unfamiliar, is actually one of the main pathogens that cause the common cold. The epidemic season is almost exactly the same as influenza, and they are all "old acquaintances" that often visit us in our daily lives.

Rhinovirus, a member of the Picornaviridae family, is small in size but powerful, and is highly familial. Since scientists first isolated rhinovirus from samples of patients with respiratory infections in 1956, humans have discovered more than 120 different serotypes, making it one of the most serotype-rich families in the virus world.

These little things are mainly transmitted through air droplets and direct contact. When you pass by an infected person, or touch an object contaminated by the virus and then touch your mouth, nose, and eyes, rhinoviruses may quietly invade your body. They "set up camp" in the upper respiratory tract, causing a series of cold symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, etc. Although these symptoms seem normal, they may also cause complications such as sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis, and even pneumonia in severe cases, bringing many inconveniences to our lives.

Another annoying feature of rhinovirus is that they like to live in groups. In crowded places such as schools and offices, rhinovirus can easily spread rapidly through contact. This is why colds always seem to come uninvited during flu season, making it difficult to prevent them. Unlike flu, there is a vaccine for flu, but there is no vaccine for rhinovirus.

However, we are not helpless in the face of this "little devil" rhinovirus. The key to preventing rhinovirus infection is to maintain good personal hygiene and living habits. Washing hands frequently, wearing masks, keeping indoor ventilation, avoiding crowded places and other measures can effectively reduce the risk of infection. In addition, enhancing one's own immunity is also an effective way to resist rhinovirus. A healthy lifestyle such as a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep can help us better resist the invasion of viruses.

Of course, if you are unfortunately infected with rhinovirus, don't panic too much. For most patients, the symptoms of the common cold usually subside on their own in about a week. During this period, we can relieve the symptoms by resting and drinking plenty of water. If the symptoms are severe or persist, you should seek medical attention in time and follow the doctor's advice for treatment.

In short, although rhinovirus is a "common visitor" in our lives, as long as we master the correct prevention and treatment methods, we can effectively reduce the risk of infection and protect the health of ourselves and our families. Let us work together to keep this "little devil" of rhinovirus away from all of us!

Source: Chongqing Science Writers Association

Author: Li Xia, deputy chief technician, and Zou Jingbo, chief technician, Chongqing Yongchuan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Zhu Yong, deputy chief technician, Chongqing Rongchang District Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Audit expert: Li Hanbin

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