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. 2004 May 26;15(2):79–88. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2004.01.006

Table 2.

Characteristics of respiratory viruses

Mode of transmission Incubation period Seasonality
Rhinovirus airborne/by large particle aerosol 2–7 days early autumn/late spring
Coronavirus possibly airborne 2–4 days winter/early spring
Influenza airborne/by small-particle aerosol 1–4 days winter/spring
RSV large-particle aerosol/direct contact with self-inoculation 4–5 days autumn to spring
PIV large-particle aerosol/direct contact with self-inoculation 3–10 days PIV1 and 2—autumn PIV3—throughout the year
Adenovirus airborne/direct contact with self-inoculation 4–14 days late autumn/late spring