How Serious Is a Rhinovirus Infection?

Rhinovirus is spread through the air in the form of droplets in the following ways:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Close personal contact
• Touching contaminated surfaces and objects (fomites)

Rhinovirus can survive on surfaces for many hours, which increases its chances of spread.

Rhinovirus infection typically lasts for 7 to 11 days but may persist for longer with these signs and symptoms:

• Nasal dryness or irritation
• Sore throat
• Nasal discharge
• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Facial and ear pressure
• Loss of sense of smell and taste
• Cough
• Hoarseness of voice
• Vomiting
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Fever (typically low grade when present)

Adults usually recover within seven days of rhinovirus infection, whereas children take longer, typically 10 to 14 days. Occasionally, children may have a cough that lasts for two to three weeks.

Rhinovirus infections are usually mild and go away on their own. Treatment aims to provide relief from symptoms while practicing good hygiene prevents spreading the infection. Therapy for infected adults may include:

• Rest: Adequate rest and sleep give the body ample time to recover from rhinovirus infections.
• Hydration: Regardless of age, when you have a cold and cough, it is important to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. This helps clear excess mucus in the sinuses.
• First-generation antihistamines
  • Brompheniramine
  • Chlorpheniramine
  • Dimenhydrinate
  • Diphenhydramine
• Nasal decongestants
  • Oxymetazoline
  • Phenylephrine
  • Pseudoephedrine

If your baby is suffering from a cold, here is what you should do (apart from rest and hydration):

• Saline nasal spray:
  • Using nasal saline spray helps clear off the mucus from the nasal passages.
• Increase humidity:
  • Using a cool-mist humidifier and keeping it near the baby’s bed will humidify the environment, which in turn will keep the baby’s nasal passages moist.
• Use cotton swabs or tissue papers:
  • Always keep cotton swabs (especially wet) or tissue papers handy to wipe sticky mucus that blocks your baby’s nostrils.
• Chicken soup:
  • Studies have reported that chicken soup contains ingredients that help thin the mucus and relieve congestion. Soups and broths not only keep your child hydrated but also replenish them with nutrients.
  • Additionally, the warmth of the soup can be soothing, especially for the flu, a cold, and a cough.
• Sleeping in a comfortable position:
  • Nose congestion often aggravates at night, and sleeping in a lying position might worsen it. Grab a pillow and elevate your baby’s head a bit higher to allow the draining of the mucus from the nose into their throat.
• Do not use cold medicines:
  • Although you may want to give your child over-the-counter cold medicines, there’s little or no evidence to support that they work. Moreover, they can cause irritability and irregular heartbeats, particularly in infants. Hence, pediatricians do not recommend them for kids younger than four years of age.
  • Apply petroleum jelly on the outer sides of the nose if your child’s nostrils become dry.

The aforementioned measures help relieve a congested nose for most babies. However, if you see that your child is not getting better and their breathing difficulty is worsening, seek urgent medical help.