[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Microbiology](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/) › [Respiratory RNA viruses](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/groups/respiratory-rna-viruses/) › Rhinovirus

[Microbiology](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/) · [Respiratory RNA viruses](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/groups/respiratory-rna-viruses/)

# Rhinovirus

- Virus
- Non-enveloped (naked)
- Droplet
- For completeness

The most frequent cause of the common cold. It grows best in the nose, which is cooler than the rest of the body.

Updated 2026-11-01

Also called: common cold virus

## Key points

- Non-enveloped, acid-labile picornavirus
- Grows best at 33 °C (nose)
- ICAM-1 receptor
- Many serotypes: no vaccine
- Droplet precautions

## At a glance

**Shape**
Icosahedral

**Genome**
Single-stranded, positive-sense RNA

**Envelope**
Non-enveloped (naked)

**Family**
Picornaviridae, genus Enterovirus (rhinovirus species A, B and C)

**Size**
About 30 nm

## Morphology

- Small naked capsid
- Acid-labile, unlike the other enteroviruses, so it does not survive the stomach
- More than 150 types, which rules out a practical vaccine

## Transmission

- Contaminated hands touching the nose or eyes
- Respiratory droplets
- Contaminated surfaces

**Reservoir:** Humans

### Isolation precautions

What the care team adds to standard precautions.

**Droplet**
Surgical mask within about a metre; single room.

## Virulence factors

- Most use ICAM-1 as the receptor on nasal epithelium
- Replicates best at about 33 °C, the temperature of the nasal mucosa
- Symptoms come mostly from the inflammatory response (bradykinin, cytokines)

## Diseases it causes

- Common cold [Common cold (acute viral rhinopharyngitis) →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/common-cold/)
- Asthma and COPD exacerbations; wheezing in young children

## Clinical picture

- Runny nose, congestion, sneezing, sore throat and cough
- Low or no fever; symptoms peak at 2 to 3 days
- Triggers asthma attacks and COPD exacerbations
- Can be complicated by bacterial otitis media or sinusitis

## Diagnosis

- Clinical diagnosis
- RT-PCR on multiplex respiratory panels when needed

## Treatment

Symptomatic care. There is no approved antiviral, and antibiotics do not work against colds.

Drug class only; doses and regimens are set by the clinician from the current guideline.

## Prevention

- Frequent handwashing
- Cough etiquette and not touching the face
- Droplet precautions in hospital (and contact if secretions are copious)

## Memory aid

Rhinovirus has a "cold nose": it loves the cool nasal lining and dies in stomach acid.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why does rhinovirus replicate in the nose rather than the gut?

It grows best at about 33 °C and is acid-labile, so it does not survive the stomach.

## Which receptor do most rhinoviruses use?

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1).

## Why is there no rhinovirus vaccine?

There are more than 150 types without useful cross-protection.

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## Related

- [Enteroviruses](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/enteroviruses/)
- [Respiratory syncytial virus](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/respiratory-syncytial-virus/)

## Related conditions

- [Common cold (acute viral rhinopharyngitis)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/common-cold/)

## What the colours mean

**Gram-positive**
Thick peptidoglycan wall: stains purple.

**Gram-negative**
Thin wall with an outer membrane: stains pink.

**Acid-fast**
Lipid-rich wall (mycobacteria): Ziehl–Neelsen stain.

**Contact**
Gown and gloves; dedicated equipment. For C. difficile, soap-and-water hand washing.

**Droplet**
Surgical mask within about a metre; single room.

**Airborne**
N95 respirator and a negative-pressure room.

[← Back to the group: Respiratory RNA viruses](https://durgical.com/en/microbiology/groups/respiratory-rna-viruses/)

Educational content on microorganisms; not a treatment guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [About Common Cold](https://www.cdc.gov/common-cold/about/index.html) (CDC, 2025); [Appendix A: Type and Duration of Precautions Recommended for Selected Infections and Conditions](https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/isolation-precautions/appendix-a-type-duration.html) (CDC, 2024).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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