Transmission of Rhinovirus Colds by Self-Inoculation

We investigated transmission of rhinovirus colds by examining shedding by infected patients, survival of virus outside the host, and inoculation of susceptible persons. Two of 25 infected persons expelled virus in a cough or sneeze; four of 10 had virus on their hands. Dried rhinovirus could be picked up by the fingers from skin or environmental surfaces. Four of 11 volunteers became infected after touching their nasal or conjunctival mucosa with fingers previously contaminated by rubbing a dried drop of rhinovirus. Adults expose the nasal or conjunctival mucosa to the fingers frequently under natural conditions. Transmission of rhinoviruses from infected to susceptible persons under natural conditions may proceed by transfer of virus from the hands of the infected person to an intermediary surface or directly to the fingers of the susceptible recipient. Infection then results from self-inoculation of eyes or nose with virus on the fingers. (N Engl J Med 288:1361–1364, 1973)