Rhinovirus Rhinoviruses are one of the causes of the common cold.
Man is the only host for the human strains, but related rhinoviruses exist in horses and cows.
Rhinovirus colds are predominant in adults, while other cold viruses may predominantly afflict children. It is thought that brief hand contact is a primary mechanism of transmission, but clinical studies have failed to prove this mode as predominant. Fomites left on objects do not remain viable and have not been shown to cause secondary infections. Extended indoor exposure to airborne concentrations of virus is most likely the primary transmission mechanism in adults.