Rhinoviruses (more than 100 known serotypes)

Rhinoviruses are transmitted through the respiratory route and replicate in the nose (“rhino”). The many serotypes are divided into “major” and “minor” groups and all cause a similar syndrome – the “common cold.” Rhinoviruses also have a short incubation time of 2-3 days. The large number of serotypes allows many rhinovirus infections to occur in one person over time, since immunity only develops for one serotype and each newly acquired rhinovirus causes a new “cold.”