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Diagnosis and treatment of rhinovirus infection
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Diagnosis of rhinovirus infection
Rhinovirus infection is diagnosed based on abundant mucous discharge from the nose, maceration of the skin in its vestibule, mild malaise and coughing with normal or subfebrile body temperature. Epidemiological data on similar diseases in people around the child are of great importance.
For laboratory confirmation, the virus is isolated in tissue culture. For rapid diagnostics, the immunofluorescence method is used, which detects the antigen in the epithelial cells of the inferior nasal conchae.
Differential diagnostics
Rhinovirus infection is differentiated from other acute respiratory viral infections, allergic rhinitis, and foreign bodies in the nasal cavity.
Allergic rhinitis usually recurs in the spring during the flowering season, is not accompanied by other symptoms, and responds well to treatment with antihistamines.
Heavy nasal discharge is also possible when a foreign body gets into the nasal cavity. However, in these cases, the discharge comes from one half of the nose, it is mucopurulent, often with an admixture of blood. The general condition does not worsen.
Treatment of rhinovirus infection
Treatment of rhinovirus infection is mainly symptomatic. To improve nasal breathing, it is recommended to instill vasoconstrictors into the nasal cavity: 1 or 2% solution of ephedrine hydrochloride, 0.05% solution of naphthyzine or galazolin, boric-adrenaline drops, 1-2 drops in each nasal passage 3 times a day. Warm drinks, hot foot baths are indicated, in case of headache, paracetamol (Children's Panadol) is given at a dose of 15 mg / kg of the child's body weight, antihistamines (suprastin, tavegil), calcium gluconate. On the 1st day of illness, leukocyte interferon-alpha can be sprayed into the nasal passages. In more severe cases, immunocorrectors (arbidol, children's anaferon, kagocel, amixin, gepon) are indicated, as well as erespal, aflubin, etc.
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