rhinovirus

noun

rhi·​no·​vi·​rus ˌrī-nō-ˈvī-rəs 

: any of a genus (Rhinovirus) of picornaviruses including two (species Human rhinovirus A and Human rhinovirus B) having numerous serotypes causing respiratory infections (such as the common cold) in humans

Examples of rhinovirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Furthermore, another study found that after an overnight stay in a hotel, adults with natural rhinovirus colds contaminated about 35 percent of the 150 environmental sites tested, such as pens, light switches, remote controls and telephones. —Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024

One study found that around 14 percent of the rhinovirus on an individual’s fingers was transferred to another individual via a doorknob or faucet, and half as much via hand-to-hand contact. —Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024

Sometimes a common cold virus, like rhinovirus, is in the mix. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2024

There are other viruses also causing illness, including rhinoviruses and enteroviruses. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is responsible for COVID-19, while rhinoviruses are the most frequent cause of the common cold. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023

So were influenza-like illnesses like rhinoviruses, respiratory adenoviruses, and other common coronaviruses, to name a few. —Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 7 Dec. 2023

The flu is only caused by influenza viruses, while the common cold can be caused by several different viruses, such as rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, and even some coronaviruses (not COVID-19) that are around during certain seasons. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023

Respiratory viral panels can detect more than a dozen viruses at once, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid, as well as a number of viruses that cause colds: RSV, adenovirus, rhinovirus, enterovirus and HMPV. —Katie Camero, NBC News, 11 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

rhinovirus

noun

rhi·​no·​vi·​rus ˌrī-nō-ˈvī-rəs 

: any of a genus (Rhinovirus) of single-stranded RNA viruses of the family Picornaviridae including two species (Human rhinovirus A and Human rhinovirus B) having numerous serotypes that cause respiratory infections (as the common cold) in humans