Rhinovirus Causes More Infections Than Thought : Early infection with rhinovirus appears to increase the risk of children later developing asthma.

▸ The incubation period is about 12 hours.

▸ The duration of symptoms of an infection usually last 2–3 days, but in 25% of cases can last up to 2 weeks.

▸ By age 4, most individuals have had about five infections with rhinovirus.

Dr. Weinberg also noted that human rhinoviruses, of which there are about 100 different serotypes, do not have a lipid coat, which means they are not affected by sterilization using organic solvents like soap or alcohol. Instead, if one wants to clean surfaces that have been around someone with rhinovirus, one has to use something acidic. “You may want to decontaminate objects with lemon juice or vinegar,” she said.