Acute rhinitis (acute runny nose) - Information Overview

Acute rhinitis (acute runny nose) is an acute nonspecific inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity.

ICD-10 code

J00 Acute nasopharyngitis (runny nose).

Epidemiology of acute rhinitis

Acute rhinitis is considered one of the most common diseases in both children and adults, although there is no precise epidemiological data.

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Causes of acute rhinitis

In the etiology of acute catarrhal rhinitis, the main significance is the decrease in local and general resistance of the organism and the activation of microflora in the nasal cavity. Usually this occurs with general or local hypothermia, which disrupts the protective neuro-reflex mechanisms. Weakening of local and general immunity with hypothermia of the whole body or its parts (legs, head, etc.) leads to an increase in the pathogenic activity of saprophytic microorganisms in the nasal cavity, in particular staphylococci, streptococci, and some others, especially in people who are not hardened to cold and sudden changes in temperature. The effects of hypothermia manifest themselves more quickly in people with reduced resistance, especially against the background of chronic diseases, in patients weakened by acute diseases.

Acute Rhinitis (Acute Runny Nose) - Causes and Pathogenesis

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Symptoms of acute rhinitis

In the clinical picture of acute catarrhal rhinitis, three stages are distinguished. Consistently passing from one to another:

• dry stage (irritation);
• serous discharge stage;
• stage of mucopurulent discharge (resolution).

Each of these stages is characterized by specific complaints and manifestations, so the approaches to treatment will be different.

The dry stage (irritation) usually lasts several hours, rarely 1-2 days. Patients report a feeling of dryness, tension, burning, scratching, tickling in the nose, often in the throat and larynx, sneezing bothers them. At the same time, malaise, chills occur, patients complain of heaviness and pain in the head, more often in the forehead, an increase in body temperature to subfebrile, less often to febrile values. At this stage, the nasal mucosa is hyperemic, dry, it gradually swells, and the nasal passages narrow. Breathing through the nose is gradually impaired, a deterioration in the sense of smell (respiratory hyposmia), a weakening of the sense of taste are noted, a closed nasal voice appears.

Acute Rhinitis (Runny Nose) - Symptoms

Classification of acute rhinitis

The following are distinguished:

• acute catarrhal rhinitis (rhinitis cataralis acuta);
• acute catarrhal rhinopharyngitis;
• acute traumatic rhinitis.

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Diagnosis of acute rhinitis

To diagnose acute rhinitis, anterior rhinoscopy and endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity are used.

Acute Rhinitis (Runny Nose) - Diagnosis

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Treatment of acute rhinitis

Treatment of acute rhinitis is aimed at relieving the distressing symptoms of acute rhinitis and reducing the duration of the disease.

Acute rhinitis is usually treated on an outpatient basis. In rare cases of severe rhinitis accompanied by a significant increase in body temperature, bed rest is recommended. It is better to allocate a room with warm and humidified air for the patient, which reduces the painful feeling of dryness, tension and burning in the nose. You should not eat spicy, irritating food. It is necessary to monitor the timeliness of physiological functions (stool, urination). During the period of closure of the nasal passages, you should not forcibly breathe through the nose, you should blow your nose without much effort and at a time only through one half of the nose, so as not to throw pathological discharge through the auditory tubes into the middle ear.

Acute Rhinitis (Acute Runny Nose) - Treatment and Prevention