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Runny nose is the common name for acute rhinitis, which is one of the symptoms of a common cold. We treat it as a trivial ailment - we wait for it to pass by itself. Meanwhile, a runny nose must be treated, because if the infection spreads, it may become sinus, ear, and bronchitis. Especially dangerous is a thick runny nose with yellow, green or yellow-green discharge, accompanied by pain in the sinuses - this is a sign of a sinus rhinitis that requires antibiotic treatment.

Qatar , although it is a seemingly trivial ailment, it can be bothersome. When we feel a scratchy throat and a burning sensation in our nose, we expect other symptoms to emerge at any moment: runny, watery discharge, nasal congestion, headache, possibly even a fever. Once these predictions come true, we patiently wait for the body to defeat the infection in the next few days. But it's not always that easy with a runny nose.

Where does runny nose come from?

Runny nose is the colloquial name of acute rhinitis, i.e. inflammation of the mucosa of our organ of smell. Most often, its perpetrators are viruses (rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses). Less commonly, a runny nose is the result of an infection with bacteria or an allergic reaction.

Acute rhinitis is one of the symptoms of a common cold caused by these viruses. The infection occurs through airborne droplets. This means that we can catch a runny nose not only when someone nearby us sneezes. It is enough that we are in the same room with him. Symptoms of infection appear very quickly, 24-48 hours after exposure to germs.

Runny nose rare or thick runny nose

For viral acute rhinitis, which affects us most often, the characteristic is a watery-mucous discharge, which thickens as the infection develops and becomes white under the influence of a large number of leukocytes fighting the virus. In bacterial (sinus) rhinitis, the discharge is mucopurulent, dense, yellow-green. In the case of allergic rhinitis, the discharge is watery, and there is itchy nose, watery eyes and sneezing. These symptoms disappear after the contact with allergens (e.g. pollen) ceases, because they, not the germs, cause the inflammation of the membrane.nasal mucosa.

What is stuffing your nose with a runny nose?

The immune system is generally good at dealing with the microbes responsible for the infection of the upper respiratory tract. However, at the time of its weakening (e.g. due to overheating or cooling down of the body), germs prevail. If they manage to penetrate inside the mucous membranes, they multiply quickly, and then an infection begins to develop, a symptom of which is a troublesome runny nose. The mucous membranes are swollen and difficult to breathe. Due to the excessive permeability of the blood vessels and the increased activity of the mucus-producing cells, the production of secretions increases. It impairs the work of the cilia covering the mucosa, and they have an important task to fulfill. They fight microbes and cleanse the nasal cavities and sinuses. The discharge is watery at first, then thickens. If it becomes a bacterial superinfection, favored by a viral infection, it becomes very dense. Then the nasal obstruction worsens.

Why does a runny nose need to be treated?

Viral acute rhinitis lasts 5-7 days. The body usually takes this long to deal with an infection. That is why many people think that any actions do not make sense, because it will heal itself quickly anyway. Meanwhile, when the body is on its own, sometimes the consequence of a banal runny nose are various he alth complications. If the infection spreads, sinusitis, otitis, and bronchitis can develop. It also happens that acute rhinitis turns into chronic rhinitis or changes from viral to bacterial and antibiotics are necessary. Therefore, a runny nose must be treated. While there is no cure that can defeat the viruses that cause it, there are many ways to alleviate your symptoms and reduce your discomfort.

Important

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

  • When a runny nose lasts more than 10 days.
  • If the discharge has become thick, yellow-green, accompanied by sinus pain or a high fever. These are signs of a bacterial (sinus) cold that should be treated with antibiotics.
  • When you feel pain in the area of ​​your forehead and cheeks while tilting your head. This may indicate that the infection has spread to the sinuses.

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