Rhinovirus is among the viruses that cause common colds. Coughing, sore throat, runny nose and fever are some of the cold symptoms associated with a rhinovirus infection. There are no treatments which can kill the virus. Treatment usually entails relieving rhinovirus symptoms as the body battles the infection.
Rhinovirus is the cause of common colds in around 30 to 35% of all adults. Over 110 distinct types of rhinovirus have been identified and it belongs to Picornaviridae virus family. Rhinoviruses are an extremely small RNA virus. Various types of rhinovirus are most active in early spring, summer and fall. This virus can live up to three hours on the skin. It can survive up to three hours on articles such doorknobs and telephones. This virus grows best at temperatures of around 91⁰ Fahrenheit, which is the temperature within the human nose.
The 7 Most Common Rhinovirus Symptoms
When a person is infected with a rhinovirus, she or he will experience the common cold. Rhinovirus symptoms normally start two to three days after the infection. The symptoms often include:
1. Swelling of the sinuses
2. Mucus buildup in the nose
3. Sore throat
4. Cough
5. Sneezing
6. Headache
7. Difficulty in breathing through the nose
Fever is typically slight, but it can climb to 102⁰ Fahrenheit in young children and infants. Rhinovirus symptoms can last from two to fourteen days, but you’ll most likely recover in around a week. A rhinovirus infection rarely causes grave problems.
What can you do if your child suffers from a rhinovirus infection?
When your child suffers from a cold, ensure that she or he gets enough rest. They must drink extra fluid if they have fever. If they are uncomfortable, talk to the pediatrician about giving them acetaminophen to reduce their fever. Do not give them over-the-counter cough medicines or cold remedies without first checking with the doctor. These medicines don’t kill the virus and most of the time, don’t help with the symptoms.
If your child is three months or younger and shows cold symptoms, it’s important to call your pediatrician. Complications ranging from bronchiolitis to pneumonia are much more possible to develop in extremely young kids. Older youngsters usually do not need to set an appointment with a doctor when they suffer from a cold. However, you have to speak to your doctor if your older children have symptoms like persistent cough, nails or lips that turn blue, excessive tiredness, difficult or noisy breathing or ear pain that may signify an ear infection.
Diagnosis
Colds are usually diagnosed by observing the symptoms displayed by your child. It is, however, not practical to perform laboratory examinations to determine the organism that might be infecting a youngster with cold symptoms.
Most colds usually go away on their own without any complications. Antibiotics aren’t effective against common colds and other viral infections. Most rhinovirus infections are only mild and don’t call for any particular treatment. However, it’s still better to avoid or prevent rhinovirus infections. If you have a baby younger than three months, avoid having close contact with adults or kids who have colds. You also need to make sure that your kids washes their hands frequently as this will lessen the chances of acquiring the virus.
