Around 50%–70% of upper respiratory tract infections are caused by human rhinoviruses (RV), making them the most common cause of viral‐induced respiratory diseases and a major healthcare burden.1, 2 RV infections are usually not life‐threatening for healthy individuals, and up to 30% of infections are asymptomatic.3, 4, 5 Rhinoviruses replicate primarily in epithelial cells of the upper and lower respiratory tract.6, 7, 8 Together with phagocytes from mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissues, these cells produce an array of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, including type‐I interferons (IFN). The gene discussed is IFNA1; the disease is infection.