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Runny noses, stubborn coughs, and the viruses that cause them are an inconvenient yet realistic part of everyday life.

Two of the most common viral offenders are rhinovirus and enterovirus. Although they belong to the same large virus family, they behave very differently in the body and can cause a wide range of symptoms.

Understanding how they spread and what they cause allows you to better protect yourself and your family. This guide walks you through the difference between rhinovirus and enterovirus, how each virus affects your body, what symptoms to expect, and how to prevent illness.

What Is the Difference Between Rhinovirus and Enterovirus?

The biggest difference between enteroviruses and rhinoviruses is where they settle in your body.

Enterovirus

An enterovirus can infect many parts of your body. It can start in the respiratory tract, but can also spread to your skin, digestive system, nervous system, and even your heart.

Enteroviruses include dozens of types, and they cause a wide range of illnesses. It’s the primary cause of:

• Hand, foot, and mouth disease — Causes fever, mouth sores, and a skin rash, most often in kids under 5. (Hand-foot-mouth disease differs from foot and mouth disease, which affects animals.)
• Viral meningitis — An infection that causes swelling of the protective lining covering the brain and spinal cord.

Rhinovirus

Rhinovirus prefers the cooler temperatures of your upper respiratory tract (airway), especially your nose and throat. Because of this, it mainly causes respiratory illness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rhinovirus is the most frequent cause of the common cold. Most infections are mild, and many people recover in less than a week.

What Are the Symptoms of Rhinovirus vs. Enterovirus?

From a mild headache to skin rashes to complications like post-viral infections, rhinovirus and enterovirus symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Rhinovirus symptoms

Most rhinovirus infections cause no or mild symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they tend to include:

• Cough.
• Fever.
• Headache.
• Mild body aches.
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Sneezing.
• Sore throat.

For people with asthma or weakened immune systems, rhinovirus can also cause more severe complications, such as:

• Asthma attacks.
• Bronchiolitis (causes a buildup of mucus in the lungs of infants and children).
• Bronchitis (causes swelling of the airways leading to the lungs).
• Middle ear infections.
• Pneumonia (infection within the air sacs of the lungs).
• Sinus infections (cause fluid build-up in the air-filled pockets of the face).

Enterovirus symptoms

Symptoms of enterovirus can vary widely because different types affect different parts of the body. They may include:

• Fever.
• Mouth blisters.
• Muscle aches.
• Runny nose, sneezing, or cough.
• Skin rash.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.

Certain types of enteroviruses can cause more serious illnesses, including:

• Enterovirus A71 (EV‑A71) — Causes hand, foot, and mouth disease and, in rare cases, neurologic (brain, spinal cord, and nerve) complications.
• Enterovirus D68 (EV‑D68) — Can cause respiratory illness and may lead to wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially in children with asthma.

This wide range of symptoms makes enteroviruses more unpredictable — and potentially more dangerous — than rhinoviruses.

Respiratory Vs. Systemic Viral Infections

Rhinovirus is a respiratory virus, meaning it spreads through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces. It prefers cooler temperatures, so it stays in your nose and throat. This is why it causes classic cold symptoms and rarely spreads deeper into the body.

But enteroviruses can cause respiratory (breathing, lung) or systemic (body-wide) infections. They, too, spread through respiratory droplets (sneezes, coughs) as well as close contact, contaminated surfaces, and stool.

An enterovirus may start in the airway and then spread through the bloodstream to other organs. This ability to move beyond the respiratory tract is how enteroviruses cause rashes, digestive (stomach) symptoms, or neurologic (brain, nerve) issues.

Mild vs. severe viral illness

Most rhinoviruses are mild. You may feel uncomfortable, but you usually recover with rest, fluids, and time. Severe illness is less common, though it can happen in infants, older adults, or people with asthma or weakened immune systems.

Enteroviruses range from mild to severe, but many people only have cold‑like symptoms.

How Enterovirus and Rhinovirus Spread and Why Outbreaks Happen

Rhinoviruses and enteroviruses spread easily because they pass from person to person in everyday situations. You can pick them up when someone coughs or sneezes near you, or when you touch a surface and then touch your face. That makes it easy for these viruses to move quickly through schools, day care centers, and busy households.

Because these viruses spread so easily, outbreaks often happen when people gather indoors, share close spaces, or touch the same surfaces. People can shed enteroviruses for weeks, even if they feel fine. That means someone can spread the virus long after their symptoms fade.

Children tend to pick up rhinoviruses and enteroviruses more often than adults, and there are a few simple reasons for that:

• Kids spend a lot of time in close contact with one another, especially in school and day care.
• They share toys, touch the same surfaces, and don’t always wash their hands well.

Plus, enteroviruses can spread through stool. So, young children are even more likely to pass them along during routine activities like diaper changes or bathroom breaks.

Rhinoviruses tend to spread quickly in the fall and spring, while many enteroviruses peak in late summer and early fall. But both can appear at any time of year.

How to Prevent Enterovirus Infections and Rhinovirus Infections

You can prevent both rhinoviruses and enteroviruses and stop their spread with common sense hygiene and lifestyle habits:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and throat.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces like phones, doorknobs, and toys.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Stay home when you’re sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

There’s no vaccine or specific treatment for rhinovirus, but most people recover with rest and fluids. There also isn’t a vaccine for most enteroviruses, so prevention is essential. Your doctor can provide you with additional guidance on preventing and spreading rhinovirus and enterovirus.

FAQ: Your Most Common Questions Answered

What is the main difference between rhinovirus and enterovirus?

Rhinoviruses mainly affect your upper respiratory tract and usually cause mild respiratory illness. Enteroviruses can affect many systems in your body and may cause mild or severe illness depending on the type.

Which virus causes the common cold?

Rhinovirus is the most frequent cause of the common cold.

Is enterovirus more dangerous than rhinovirus?

It can be. Many enterovirus infections are mild, but some types can cause serious complications. Rhinovirus infections are usually mild, though they can be more serious in high‑risk groups.

Can an enterovirus cause respiratory symptoms?

Enteroviruses can cause cold‑like symptoms. EV‑D68 is especially known for causing respiratory illness.