rhinovirus

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 Researchers Find Different Rhinoviruses Can Provide Limited Protection Against Each Other

Posted on by Jodi Snare

Collaborative ECHO research led by Yury Bochkov, PhD and James Gern, PhD of the University of Wisconsin at Madison investigates similarities and differences in the immune responses to two types of rhinovirus—RV-A and RV-C. This research, titled “Rhinoviruses A and C elicit long-lasting antibody responses with limited cross-neutralization,” is published in the Journal of Medical Virology.

Of the three species of rhinoviruses (A, B, and C) that can cause upper respiratory illnesses, RV-A and RV-C are more likely to cause wheezing illnesses in preschoolers and in children and adults who have asthma.  No specific vaccines for these viruses exist yet, in part because the large range of rhinovirus strains makes vaccine development difficult. The goal of this study was to test whether RV-C infections are more likely than RV-A infections to induce long-lasting antibodies that can protect against other RV-C strains.

Over 4,000 children ages 0 to 19 were enrolled in 14 independent studies across Australia, Finland, and the United States. The studies included healthy participants as well as those with asthma and RV illnesses of varying severity. Researchers found that while protective antibody responses to RV-C last for several years, they have only modest cross-species protection that is limited to genetically similar viruses.

“These findings suggest that vaccines against RV-C might need to include many of the most common RV-C types to offer broad protection,” Dr. Bochkov said.

Researchers would also like to determine why RV-C infections occur so frequently, and why they are more likely to cause wheezing illnesses. The ultimate goal of these studies is to help researchers design a practical RV-C vaccine that could protect high-risk children.

Read the research summary.

Different Viruses that Cause Wheezing Illnesses Provide Limited Protection Against Each Other

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Different Viruses that Cause Wheezing Illnesses Provide Limited Protection Against Each Other

Authors: Yury Bochkov, James Gern, 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?

Rhinovirus (RV) is the most common virus detected in both mild and acute respiratory illnesses, such as the common cold and wheezing.  While three species of rhinoviruses (A, B, and C) can cause upper respiratory illnesses, RV-A and RV-C are more likely to cause wheezing illnesses in preschoolers and in children and adults who have asthma. No specific vaccines for these viruses exist yet, in part because the large range of rhinovirus strains makes vaccine development difficult.

After a natural infection, neutralizing antibody responses develop in infected persons that help reduce the risk of illness on a second exposure. The goal of this study was to test whether RV-C infections are more likely than RV-A infections to induce long-lasting antibodies that can protect against other RV-C strains.

 

What were the study results?

Both RV-A and RV-C infections induced neutralizing antibody responses of similarly long durations but did not provide strong protection against each other.  The researcher’s data analysis suggests that RV-C types are less likely than RV-A types to create a strong immune response against different virus strains. Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and for answers to your personal questions.

 

What was the study's impact?

The results showed that while protective antibody responses to RV-C last for several years, they have only modest cross-protection that is limited to genetically similar viruses. These findings suggest that vaccines against RV-C might need to include many of the most common RV-C types to offer broad protection.

 

Who was involved?

Over 4,000 children were enrolled in 14 independent studies across Australia, Finland, and the United States. Study participants varied in age from 0 to 19 years and had RV-induced illnesses of varying severity. Some studies included participants with asthma, in addition to healthy participants.

 

What happened during the study?

Researchers tested whether RV-C infections cause protection against multiple RV-C types. Researchers analyzed samples collected between 1998 and 2019. Each of the 14 sites collected nasal samples that were analyzed for RV species and type. Data from 11 studies and 3,199 children included serial sampling for analysis across more than one RV illness. Many children in this study contracted a series of illnesses caused by various RV-A and RV-C types. The investigators examined the sequence of illnesses that children had experienced to understand which kinds of rhinovirus might provide protection against which other kinds of rhinovirus. Researchers also analyzed blood specimens to see whether RV-C infections are more likely to create antibodies to fight other rhinoviruses or produce antibody responses of longer duration than RV-A infections do.

 

What happens next?

Researchers want to determine why RV-C infections occur so frequently in preschool children, and why they are more likely to cause wheezing illnesses. These studies aim to help researchers design a practical RV-C vaccine that could protect high-risk children.

 

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Rhinoviruses A and C Elicit Long-lasting Antibody Responses with Limited Cross-neutralization,” in the Journal of Medical Virology.

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

 

Published August 28, 2023

 

Access the associated article.

Download this summary

ECHO Researchers Find Different Rhinoviruses Can Provide Limited Protection Against Each Other

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