The rhinovirus--not such an innocent?
Human rhinoviruses (RVs) are probably the commonest pathogens afflicting mankind.1 They were isolated some four decades ago from common cold sufferers, and several epidemiological studies have confirmed that they are by far the commonest common cold viruses after the first years of life.2 However, in all these years, the general consensus was that the common cold, and consequently RVs, represented a mild nuisance, rather than a true disease, and not much attention has been paid to them. Evidence suggesting that RV infections can also produce serious complications came early,3 but since they involved immunocompromised patients, they were still considered exceptional. Nevertheless, data supporting the view that RV infection can result in considerable morbidity and even mortality has steadily increased, becoming compelling during recent years. Several factors have attributed to this change of view. Most certainly, our understanding of the epidemiology and complications of RV infections is now much clearer, partly due to advances in detection methodology.4 In addition, the prevalence of respiratory diseases related to RV infections, most notably asthma, has increased dramatically during the last decades, probably a result of environmental and/or lifestyle changes.5 Finally, an increasing awareness of economic aspects of health eventually revealed that direct and indirect costs of RV infections are substantial.6

The details of social and ecological alterations and economical implications are out of the scope of this editorial. In contrast, the medical consequences of RV infections are undoubtedly a daily experience for most physicians—not infrequently a personal one!

RV colds per se will keep an average person in bed for about a whole year of their lives.1 However, this is not necessarily a big concern—there are even suggestions that this may be part of our immune system's regular training.7 In contrast, the complications of RV infection …