Which statement best describes rhinovirus in terms of pathogenicity and virulence?

• A. It is not pathogenic
• B. It is pathogenic but not virulent
• C. It is highly virulent
• D. It causes only severe disease

Answer: (B)

Pathogenicity is the ability to cause disease, while virulence refers to how severe that disease is once infection occurs. Rhinovirus commonly causes the common cold, which is a real illness that most people experience and recover from. This shows it is pathogenic because it can produce disease, but the illness is typically mild and self-limited, not severe. That combination—capable of causing disease but generally producing only mild symptoms—fits being pathogenic but not highly virulent. In rare cases, individuals with weakened immune systems or other conditions might experience more significant illness, but overall rhinovirus does not cause severe disease in the general population.