What infection is commonly known as “the common cold”?

The common cold is primarily caused by rhinoviruses, which are small, single-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the Picornaviridae family. They are responsible for the majority of upper respiratory tract infections and are characterized by symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and cough. Rhinoviruses thrive in cooler temperatures, such as those found in the nasal cavity, making them particularly effective at causing infections during the fall and spring seasons.

In contrast, influenza is caused by the influenza virus, which leads to more severe respiratory illness and systemic symptoms like high fever and body aches. Streptococcus refers to a group of bacteria, some of which can cause throat infections (like strep throat) or skin infections, but they are not responsible for the common cold. Norovirus is primarily associated with gastroenteritis, leading to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, rather than the respiratory symptoms typical of a cold. Therefore, rhinovirus is clearly identified as the primary causative agent of the common cold.