According to the CDC WeChat official account, respiratory infections frequently occur in autumn and winter, and rhinovirus, as one of the popular viruses, has also brought about many "minor troubles". Today let's get to know rhinovirus and learn how to prevent it. What is rhinovirus? Rhinovirus is one of the most common viruses in daily life and is also one of the main causes of common cold (commonly known as "cold"). About 30% to 50% of adult colds and about 15% of children's colds are caused by it, making it the "king of cold viruses". Rhinovirus is prevalent worldwide, with numerous known serotypes, which is also one of the important reasons why humans experience recurrent colds. Its transmission has obvious seasonality, and in temperate regions, spring and autumn are the high-risk periods for infection. The virus is highly contagious in densely populated places such as schools, offices, and homes, often presenting as clustered outbreaks. The main symptom of rhinovirus is that 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 and replicate extensively, stimulating local inflammation and causing cold symptoms such as nasal congestion and watery mucus. For healthy adults, rhinovirus infection is usually self limiting. However, for infants, elderly people, and those with underlying respiratory diseases or immune deficiencies such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), infection may exacerbate pre-existing conditions or secondary bacterial infections, causing symptoms such as acute sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. The difference between rhinovirus and influenza virus. Rhinovirus mainly causes mild symptoms of the common cold, with common symptoms of normal or only slight increase in body temperature, short course of disease, strong limitation, and most patients self heal within a week, rarely causing serious complications. Rhinovirus can be distributed throughout the year, with high incidence in autumn and winter. There are currently no specific drugs or vaccines available, and the most effective prevention measures are non pharmacological measures such as frequent hand washing. Influenza virus leads to influenza with severe symptoms and strong systemic characteristics, characterized by sudden high fever, significant fatigue, systemic muscle pain, respiratory symptoms are relatively minor, but the risk of serious complications such as pneumonia is high. Influenza has obvious seasonality, with a prominent peak in winter epidemics and the use of specific antiviral drugs and annual vaccines. The transmission route of rhinovirus is droplet transmission: larger droplets produced by patients coughing or sneezing can be directly inhaled by others, which can also lead to infection. Contact transmission: The virus can contaminate the surface of objects (such as door handles, toys, keyboards) through the hands of patients contaminated with secretions. Healthy individuals who touch the contaminated surface can complete the infection by touching their own conjunctiva or nasal mucosa with their hands. The treatment principle for rhinovirus infection is to provide targeted supportive treatment, alleviate discomfort, and wait for the immune system to clear 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. The key to preventing rhinovirus lies in taking comprehensive measures to block transmission routes and enhance one's own immunity. Physiological seawater nasal spray can be used daily to flush the nasal cavity as a safe and effective physical protection. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes that "positive qi is stored in the body, and evil cannot be dried up". It is recommended that under the guidance of a doctor's syndrome differentiation, people with qi deficiency constitution can use Yupingfeng Powder and other methods to nourish qi and strengthen the surface, or wear traditional Chinese medicine sachets containing Huoxiang, Aiye, etc. to clear away impurities with fragrance. But it should be remembered that any medication intervention is far less important than basic protective measures such as frequent hand washing and avoiding touching the mouth and nose, and balanced diet, adequate sleep, and moderate exercise are the fundamental cornerstones for maintaining immunity. In short, although rhinovirus is a common respiratory pathogen, scientific protective measures such as "washing hands frequently, ventilating regularly, avoiding touching the face, and strengthening the body" can effectively reduce the risk of infection, and it is also an important guarantee for maintaining personal and family respiratory health. (New Society)