A doctor has outlined those who are most at risk of becoming sick from rhinovirus as well as the most common symptoms to look out for.
Rhinovirus is the main culprit behind the common cold and is most active in the winter and spring.
In its most recent report, Ireland's Health Protection Surveillance Centre warned that rhinovirus continues to circulate, with positivity levels currently around 9.7%.
READ MORE: Rhinovirus symptoms: HSE advises those with coughs, runny noses and sore throats to stay at home
The HSE has advised anyone with symptoms to stay at home and isolate.
Leading respiratory physician Dr Joe Kidney says most people who become infected only experience the symptoms of a cold, but certain groups - such as asthmatics, those with COPD or an impaired immune system - are most at risk of developing a more serious infection.
Dr Kidney, who works at the Belfast Trust, said that due to its changing nature, it can be difficult to build full immunity to rhinovirus, and it is even possible to be infected again within weeks of recovering from it.
He told Belfast Live: "I think we all get about six colds a year under normal circumstances and our bodies might have forgotten that during the lockdown.
"The majority of those are rhinovirus and they like to replicate in colder temperatures such as 32 degrees rather than 37, which is our body temperature. So when it gets cold outside it replicates in our nose which is why we call them colds.
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"Most of the symptoms are of a cold - cough, runny nose, sinusitis - and they can make you feel just rotten, but often not very very ill, where flu is much more likely to give you temperatures. Although you can still get aches and pains with rhinovirus as well.
"The issue is now we are looking at people with runny noses and we want to know if they have coronavirus and the answer is they might do, but with a runny nose that can actually be a rhinovirus as well."
Dr Kidney said that while the majority of people only experience cold like symptoms from a rhinovirus, there are groups who are particularly at risk, with the virus being the cause of around 80% of asthma exacerbations.
He continued: "Poorly controlled asthmatics are a real risk group and these are people who should be taking preventer treatments, a brown or red inhaler. They feel well between the episodes so they feel an the urgency to take medication because they are getting by with their relievers or blue inhalers, and then they can get very sick with a rhinovirus infection, so probably rhinovirus is responsible for 80% of asthma exacerbations and while it is very uncommon now, asthma deaths do occur.
"What I used to say is the common cold can be uncommonly dangerous to some people.
"The other that gets very sick are those with COPD, and an exacerbation is the second commonest cause for people coming into hospital."
The doctor issued one last warning about the rhinovirus saying: "We have been getting them for years and if you are healthy you will get a cold but if you are susceptible it could make you sicker.
"People with asthma need to take their preventers, they could be between infections and they could get sick with a rhinovirus and COPD often lands people in hospital. It is best not to get them if you are vulnerable. I Worry about older people taking care of young people, it can be a great spreader of these colds."
The official HSE advice states: "Symptoms of a cold can be similar to symptoms of Covid-19. Do not go to work or send your child to school or creche with a cold.
"You can go back to work, school or creche when your symptoms have been gone for 48 hours."
What are the symptoms?
The HSE says: "The first symptom of a cold is usually a sore throat. This is generally followed by sneezing or a blocked, sore or runny nose. Usually, one in three people with a cold will get a cough and feel unwell.
"You will usually feel worse during the first two to three days before gradually starting to improve. Your symptoms will usually last about a week."
Cold symptoms can include:
- blocked or runny nose
- sore throat
- headaches
- muscle aches
- coughs
- sneezing
- a raised temperature
- pressure in your ears and face
- loss of taste and smell
The health body adds: "The symptoms are the same in adults and children. Sometimes, symptoms last longer in children.
"Cold and flu symptoms are similar but flu tends to be more severe."
Causes and how long you're infectious
The HSE states: "Colds are caused by viruses. They can easily spread to other people. You're infectious until all your symptoms have gone. This usually takes about a week.
"Colds are spread by germs from coughs and sneezes. The germs can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
"To reduce the risk of spreading a cold you should:
- wash your hands often with warm water and soap
- cough into your elbow to stop germs getting on to your hands and spreading to other people
- use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze
- bin used tissues as quickly as possible."
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