common cold

Yearly Patterns of Rhinovirus Infection Consistent Over Three Decades

Posted on by Jodi Snare

Yearly circulations patterns of rhinovirus (RV)—the most common cause of the common cold—were remarkably consistent over three decades with certain types of rhinovirus found more often in infants and young children, according to a recent ECHO Cohort study led by Jo Wilson, MD of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Some children—especially infants, toddlers, and children with asthma—can become seriously ill from a rhinovirus infection and may need hospital care. There are more than 160 different types of rhinoviruses, which has made it very difficult to develop prevention or treatment strategies. A relatively small group of rhinovirus types—about 15 to 20—account for about half of all the rhinoviruses circulating in each species, RV-A, RV-B and RV-C. Given the vast number of circulating rhinoviruses and the lack of rhinovirus surveillance programs, there has not been enough information for researchers to understand the circulation patterns of these viruses or which type are found most often in different age groups. To better understand the long‑term patterns of rhinovirus infections in children, researchers collected nearly 12,000 nasal samples from children across the United States, Finland, and Australia between 1997 and 2025.

Key Takeaways include:

  • Unlike other viruses like the flu or COVID‑19 that show dramatic changes in yearly circulation patterns, both the most common and rare rhinovirus types stayed remarkably consistent over three decades.
  • Certain rhinovirus types appeared more often in infants and young children, while a few others were common across all age groups.

The results of this study and additional studies can help researchers better understand which rhinovirus types are more commonly found in young children. This information could help guide the development of future strategies to prevent or treat rhinovirus infections.

This collaborative research, titled “Stability and Age-Specific Patterns of Rhinovirus Circulation in Children Observed Over Three Decades” is published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

A Subset of Rhinovirus Types Are More Prevalent in Young Children, ECHO Study Finds

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A Subset of Rhinovirus Types Are More Prevalent in Young Children, ECHO Study Finds

Authors: Jo Wilson, et al.

 

Who sponsored this study?

The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health supported this research.

 

Why was this study needed?

Rhinoviruses (RV) are the most common cause of the common cold and the most common trigger of wheezing episodes and asthma exacerbations. Some children—especially infants, toddlers, and children with asthma—can become seriously ill and may need hospital care. There are more than 160 different types of rhinoviruses, which has made it very difficult to develop prevention or treatment strategies. A relatively small group of rhinovirus types—about 15 to 20—account for about half of all the rhinoviruses circulating in each species, RV-A, RV-B and RV-C. Given the vast number of circulating rhinoviruses and the lack of rhinovirus surveillance programs, there has not been enough information for researchers to understand the circulation patterns of these viruses and which viruses impact which age groups. For this study, ECHO researchers investigated the long‑term patterns of rhinovirus infections in children to hopefully make it easier for future prevention and treatment efforts to target the viruses that impact children the most.

 

What were the study results?

This study found that, unlike other viruses like the flu or COVID‑19 that show dramatic changes in yearly circulation patterns, both the most common and rare rhinovirus types stayed remarkably consistent over three decades. Certain rhinovirus types were found more often in infants and young children, while a few others were common across all age groups.

 

What was this study's impact?

This information can help researchers understand which rhinovirus types have a higher impact on young children and the general community, which may help them to develop more targeted prevention and treatment strategies in the future.

 

Who was involved?

The study included data from nearly 12,000 nasal samples collected from children aged 0 to 18 years between 1997 and 2025. These samples came from children who were part of 20 pediatric studies in the United States, Finland, and Australia, including 10 ECHO Cohort Study Sites.

 

What happened during the study?

The study analyzed rhinovirus circulation patterns over three decades using nasal samples collected when children were sick and, in some studies, when they were healthy. The researchers tested samples to identify which type of rhinovirus was present, track how often each type appeared over time, compare infections across different child age groups, and examine whether a child’s genetic makeup influenced infection patterns. The researchers then used statistical methods to look for long‑term trends while accounting for age and differences between studies.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

 

What happens next?

Additional studies can help researchers better understand why some rhinoviruses are so common while others are rarely encountered. This information could help guide the development of future strategies to prevent or treat rhinovirus infections.

 

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Stability and Age-Specific Patterns of Rhinovirus Circulation in Children Observed Over Three Decades,” in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

 

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

 

Published April 20, 2026

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A Subset of Rhinovirus Types Are More Prevalent in Young Children, ECHO Study Finds

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Upper and Lower Airway

ECHO Study Finds Children Are Less Likely to Get the Common Cold as They Get Older

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ECHO Study Finds Children Are Less Likely to Get the Common Cold as They Get Older

Author(s): Timothy Choi, James E. Gern and Yury A. Bochkov 

 

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health. Additional support came from contributing studies by the NIH, the Sigrid Juselius Foundation (Helsinki, Finland) and the National Health Medical Research Council (Australia).

 

What were the study results?

As children age, they are less likely to be infected with the rhinovirus C species. This may be because the immune system gets stronger against infection with rhinovirus C species compared to other species. Other personal factors related to more frequent infections are wheezing respiratory illnesses and a genetic difference in a protein used by the viruses to enter cells.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health care without first consulting your healthcare professional.

 

What was the study's impact?

Infections with rhinoviruses, generally known as common colds, are the most common cause of wheezing illnesses in preschoolers and children with asthma. Unfortunately, there are no treatments for these respiratory viruses. The results of the study identify children most likely to develop more severe illnesses with rhinovirus C based on young age and genetics. This new information on at-risk populations and the viruses most likely to cause illnesses can help scientists create a vaccine specifically for the rhinovirus C species.

 

Why was this study needed?

Rhinovirus is a leading cause of the common cold and wheezing illnesses in young children and in children with asthma. There are three species of rhinoviruses (A, B, and C), and C viruses are often more likely to cause wheezing illnesses, especially in young children. The main objectives of this study were to identify age and other personal risk factors for rhinovirus illnesses, and to determine whether certain rhinoviruses are more frequent and more likely to cause wheezing illnesses.

 

Who was involved?

More than 4,000 children were enrolled in 14 independent studies across the United States, Finland, and Australia from 2000 to 2019. Study participants had illnesses of varying severity and varied in age from zero to 19 years.

 

What happened during the study?

Each of the 14 sites collected nasal samples and studied them for rhinovirus species and type. The investigators then tested whether characteristics such as age, gender, and race influenced which viruses were seen. Investigators also identified which viruses are most common and which are most likely to cause illnesses.

 

What happens next?

Future research will focus on studying the strength and length of time people can be immune to rhinovirus C. This will help determine why these viruses are able to produce such a strong immune response, and why rhinovirus C infections decrease with age. This information may help researchers design a practical vaccine against rhinovirus C that could be used to protect high-risk children.

 

Where can I learn more?

View the full journal article, titled "Enhanced Neutralizing Antibody Responses to Rhinovirus C and Age-Dependent Patterns of Infection," in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

 

Additional details  

The authors thank the many investigators, children and families who conducted and participated in this multinational collaborative study.

 

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

 

Published: April 1, 2021

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ECHO Study Finds Children Are Less Likely to Get the Common Cold as They Get Older

ECHO Discovery

Co-author James Gern presented An Integrated Approach to Identifying Early Life Causes of Childhood Asthma at a past ECHO Discovery webinar. You can view his presentation here.