Rhinoviruses (rhino, nose) are the most common cause of the
common cold, accounting for at least 50% of upper respiratory
tract infections in children and adults. Rhinoviruses are difficult
to detect, but the development of sensitive PCR-based assays has
led to the identification of three distinct groups of rhinovirus
(HRV-A, HRV-B, and HRV-C).1 Although infection results in
serotype-specific lasting immunity, rhinovirus infections are
common because there are >100 different serotypes