Rhinovirus and Enterovirus Cases Rise Across U.S. as Fall Season Begins

U.S. health officials report a seasonal uptick in rhinovirus and enterovirus infections, common causes of colds, as children return to school and indoor activity rises. Dr. Aniruddha Hazra, an infectious disease physician at UChicago Medicine, said the rise is typical for this time of year and does not signal a surge in severe illness or hospitalizations.

"We think of these as seasonal respiratory viruses that often start to increase or creep up around the fall, usually when kids are back at school and there’s more indoor activities in general," Hazra explained.

Dr. Ryan Carroll, an infectious diseases physician at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, noted that the viruses belong to a large family that can cause a range of symptoms, from the common cold to gastrointestinal issues. "These two [viruses] are some of the most common viruses that we see circulate in the community, and they cause some of the most common syndromes that we see as well," Carroll said.

Typical symptoms include congestion, runny nose, cough and fever; enterovirus can also produce nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or hand-foot lesions. Health experts recommend frequent hand washing, mask use in high-risk settings, and staying up to date with routine vaccinations such as COVID-19 and flu shots to reduce the risk of co-infection. "Masking, depending on what your risk calculus is, is something that’s important to recognize," Hazra added.

Both physicians emphasized protecting vulnerable populations, such as individuals with weakened immune systems or chronic lung disease, by practicing good hygiene and avoiding close contact when ill. Staying home while symptomatic remains a key measure to limit transmission.