A rhinovirus is a virus member of the family Picornaviridae (small-RNA-virus). The rhinoviruses are single stranded postive sense RNA viruses. They are the most common viral infective agents in humans. The most well known disease caused is the common cold. There are over 100 serologic virus types which cause cold symptoms and rhinoviruses are responsible for around 50% of all cases.

The name comes from the Greek rhin, meaning nose.