Human rhinovirus, a name that sounds reminiscent of the crisp winter air and the constant wiping of noses, is the most unwelcome of our ‘regulars’ when it comes to colds. This small but cunning virus is like the uninvited guest at a winter party who always finds the wrong time to barge in. Whether you're enjoying a hot chocolate fondue or sitting around the fireplace laughing with friends, it always finds a subtle moment to sneak into your nose and go on a rampage.

Once the human rhinovirus has entered your body, it will begin its ‘mischief’. Firstly, you will feel like your nose is blocked by something, and it becomes difficult to breathe as if the whole nasal cavity is stuffed with thick cotton. Then, snot flows like an open faucet, making your tissue usage skyrocket. And I'm afraid the most unbearable thing for you is that sore throat that feels like it's being roasted by fire. Every time you swallow, it's like you're swallowing a ball of fire, making you have to drink water frequently to ease the pain.

It is usually spread through droplets in the air, for example, when someone coughs or sneezes, the virus will fly out like a scattering of flowers, whoever is unlucky enough to ‘win’. In addition, it can also be spread through contact, you touch a contaminated door handle or mobile phone screen, and then accidentally rub your eyes or nose, and the virus has successfully invaded. Once the human rhinovirus enters your nasal cavity, it acts like a naughty child and makes trouble everywhere. It irritates your nasal mucosa, triggering an inflammatory response that makes you sneeze and sniffle. Then, it can spread to your throat, making you feel dry, itchy, and even a little hoarse. While these symptoms may sound scary, most people only experience mild discomfort for a few days, which quickly clears up on its own.

You may experience a stuffy nose, runny nose, sore throat, and sometimes a mild headache and fatigue. Although these symptoms are not serious, they can make you feel the ‘weight’ of life, especially during a busy workday or an important exam.

It's not difficult to build a strong defence against the human rhinovirus. The key lies in becoming a ‘hygienic master’ in our lives and developing good hygiene habits.

Hand washing is my ‘magic weapon’ against this virus. Every time I wash my hands carefully with soap and water, the virus lurking at my fingertips is like a sand castle washed away by floodwaters, instantly collapsing and disintegrating. Especially before eating, after going to the toilet, or just after touching public facilities, it is more important to immediately call out your ‘magic weapon’ to thoroughly clean your hands, so as not to give the virus any opportunity to take advantage of. Especially when they cough or sneeze, those virus-carrying droplets are like an invisible bullet ready to attack us. Therefore, in winter, a period of high incidence of colds, we have to maintain a certain social distance and replace intimate handshakes and hugs with polite smiles and nods.

Finally, don't forget to give your home environment and personal belongings a ‘cleaning’. Cleaning and disinfecting these items regularly is like doing a complete virus sweep of your home. 

Firstly, drinking plenty of water is the key. There are over-the-counter medications that can be used to relieve a stuffy nose and sore throat, but remember to use them as directed. It's also important to keep the air circulating when you're indoors so that you can reduce the concentration of the virus. By doing these things, you can recover faster and get back to your normal life.

Although human rhinovirus infection is unavoidable, we can greatly reduce the risk of infection if we take care of our daily protection and maintain good hygiene habits. Colds may be small, but they should not be taken lightly, and a healthy life starts with every little detail.

（Writer：Hoock）