Rhinovirus-Infected Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic Period

Infect Drug Resist. 2021 Feb 17:14:609-611. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S300001. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Human rhinovirus (HRV) is known as one of the most important respiratory pathogens, and the clinical characteristics of HRV infection might be similar to those of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We identified 11 HRV-infected patients by polymerase chain reactions of the HRV genes among 151 outpatients with fever. All nine adult patients had underlying diseases and finally improved with the appropriate treatment in this COVID-19 pandemic period. Differential diagnosis between HRV and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection will be needed to save lives and medical resources.

Keywords: PCR; SARS-CoV-2; antimicrobial stewardship; human rhinovirus.