One of the most common symptoms of ENT diseases is a runny nose. This is an inflammatory process that can be caused by various pathogens. Runny nose and fever are most often a symptom of a cold. If you do not take timely action to treat this disease, complications may develop. How to act when such symptoms occur will be discussed later.
Features of the disease
Severe cough, runny nose and fever are symptoms of colds, viral diseases. The causes of this unpleasant condition are many. Runny nose is called inflammation of the nasal mucosa. This is a symptom that indicates the development of various pathological processes in the body. This condition is also called rhinitis.
A common cause of the common cold, which is accompanied by a rise in temperature, are different bacteria and viruses. It is the nasal mucosa that becomes the first barrier that prevents their penetration into the body. There are villi on it that trap different microparticles.
The nose has an important function. In addition, it warms the air entering the lungs. This is a well-coordinated system, which failures in which lead not only to discomfort, but also to the development of various complications. Therefore, appropriate action should be taken in case of cough, runny nose and fever as soon as possible.
Self-medication can be dangerous. Therefore, you should contact your physician or pediatrician if a runny nose appears in a child. Such symptoms often appear after hypothermia, weakened immunity, as well as the development of pathogenic bacteria or viruses in the body.
Causes
Runny nose and fever can accompany different diseases. Diagnosis should be carried out by an experienced doctor. Otherwise, treatment may be ineffective, and the disease will go into an advanced stage. Most often, with the appearance of temperature and a stuffy nose, they talk about infectious rhinitis. It is caused by various bacteria, viruses. Less commonly, fungi can become the cause. This disease passes quickly and without complications if the person has strong immunity.
However, if the body is unable to overcome the disease on its own, special assistance is required. In this case, you need to know what pathogen caused inflammation of the mucosa. Against the background of the flu, colds often develop rhinitis.
If symptoms such as sore throat and runny nose without fever occur, this may be due to allergies, congenital deformations of the facial bones, adenoids, polyps. Another cause of this disease is vasomotor rhinitis. In this case, the tone of the blood vessels in the nose is disturbed. Swelling of the mucosa, runny nose accompany this condition. Taking certain medications also leads to rhinitis without fever (for example, pills to lower blood pressure, vasoconstrictors).
If there is no temperature, a runny nose may indicate the presence of other diseases. This, for example, may be a decrease in thyroid function, psoriasis, systemic scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
Symptoms
A runny nose, sore throat, and fever are a sign of a cold, flu, and other infectious diseases. This situation requires proper treatment. In the presence of temperature, various diseases can be the cause of rhinitis.
So, if the body is affected by a viral infection, nasal discharge is practically not observed. But breathing is difficult, since the mucous membranes swell. The virus infects the capillaries in the nose, which become thin and brittle. Sometimes minor bleeding may occur in the nose.
If bacteria are the cause of rhinitis, nasal discharge is often plentiful and viscous. The mucus has a yellowish or greenish tint.
Stages
Rhinitis (runny nose and fever are the first symptoms) develops gradually. The disease goes through 3 stages. At the first stage (lasts several hours or a couple of days), the mucous membrane becomes dry, burning and itching appear in the nose. Breathing becomes difficult. A person perceives tastes and smells poorly. There is no temperature at this stage yet.
The second stage is characterized by the active development of infection. Active discharge appears from the nose. It becomes hard to breathe through the nose. Sometimes it can even lay ears. Sneezing and fever with a runny nose in the second stage are characteristic symptoms of the inflammatory process. There is lacrimation, headache. Appetite disappears.
In the third stage, which usually occurs after about 5 days, the affected areas of the mucosa are abundantly populated with bacteria. Mucopurulent discharge from the nose appears. After a couple of days, the patient's condition improves significantly. The nose begins to breathe, unpleasant symptoms go away. However, in the case of reduced immunity, various complications may appear.
If there is no heat ...
Cough, runny nose, fever often accompany a cold. However, sometimes the disease is a little different. In this case, body temperature remains normal. But a virus nonetheless develops in the body. This situation also requires timely, proper treatment. Most often, such symptoms are characteristic of damage to the nasal mucosa by rhinovirus.
With such a disease, the nose remains blocked, copious mucous discharge appears from it. Due to a lack of oxygen (the nose does not breathe well) headaches may appear. If a person breathes through his mouth, his throat may hurt. This disease often appears in adults than in children. The lack of temperature in this case is a sign of good immunity. The spread of the virus in the body is restrained. Its development is local in nature. Therefore, there is no temperature.
Most often, a runny nose without temperature is caused by hypothermia. In this condition, the mucosa becomes susceptible to attack by viruses.
Sometimes a runny nose without fever is a normal symptom in some conditions. Some women have a runny nose without a fever during pregnancy . Children during teething can also have this condition. In such cases, the treatment is symptomatic.
Dust, spices, contact with allergens, changes in temperature and humidity, adenoids, or foreign bodies entering the nasal cavity can provoke a runny nose without temperature.
Complications
Treatment for a cold without fever and with fever can vary significantly. However, letting the disease drift is dangerous. Because of this, many complications can develop. The disease gradually changes from acute to chronic form. In this case, it is difficult to treat. The infection also spreads to the respiratory tract. Against the common cold, diseases such as laryngitis, pharyngitis, otitis media, sinusitis often develop. Bronchitis and bronchial, pulmonary pneumonia may also occur.
Complications extend to the respiratory system due to the fact that the nose does not breathe. A person is forced to exercise this function through the mouth. This does not allow quick heating of cold air. It leads to hypothermia of the respiratory tract. Mouth breathing is not a physiological process. Especially in the cold season, the likelihood of developing complications increases.
Also, the development of diseases contributes to a decrease in immunity. If the infection develops in the upper sinuses, it can affect the brain without proper treatment. Without proper treatment, temperature and a runny nose can be supplemented by inflammation of the tear ducts. Sometimes, with a prolonged course of the disease, polyps develop, other neoplasms in the nose.
Another complication is a temporary or permanent decrease in smell. If a chronic runny nose is present in a child, he may develop a malocclusion, an incorrect pronunciation of certain sounds.
Treatment of the common cold in adults
So, you have a high fever and a runny nose. What to do? If this condition is present in an adult, you need to see a therapist. This is a sign of a cold. Treatment must be started in a timely manner. So it will be possible to overcome the disease faster. However, with improper treatment, the symptoms will become more pronounced, and the general condition will worsen.
The doctor will prescribe the correct treatment. The patient must learn to blow his nose properly. This process can lead to complications. It is necessary to gently blow each nostril separately. In this case, the mouth opens slightly to reduce pressure in the nasal cavity. Otherwise, the infection will spread further.
Mucosal irritating factors must be avoided. This is cold air, dust and cigarette smoke, strong odors. It is also worth avoiding physical activity. Breathing should be calm.
Drugs prescribed by a doctor should not be taken beyond the prescribed period. Especially if they have a vasoconstrictor effect. It is better to give preference to drops on a plant basis. They are slower, but better treat rhinitis. The most famous drug in this group is Pinosol.
Saline should be washed nose 3 times a day. The concentration of salt in water should not be higher than in a standard pharmacy solution (it is better to purchase it than to cook it yourself). Otherwise, you can dry the mucous membrane.
Treatment of rhinitis in children
It often happens that a child has a high fever and a runny nose. What to do in this case? Urgently need to contact a pediatrician. He will prescribe a treatment. In the room where the child is, the temperature should be about 21º. Humidity should be high. Airing is carried out regularly, taking the baby out of the room.
The smallest children do not know how to bark. Therefore, mucus does not allow their nose to breathe. However, washing can be done no earlier than the child turns 3 years old. It is better to use medicines on a natural basis. At the same time, the baby should not be allergic to the components of the drug. Drops can be used from 2 years, and sprays - from 3 years.
During treatment, the doctor may prescribe funds based on naphazoline, xylometazoline, oxymetazole. The choice depends on the characteristics of the disease, the age of the child. In the group of drugs based on naphazoline, Naphthyzinum, Sanorin are allocated. They are prescribed in many countries from the age of 6 years (in our country from 1 year).
Xylometazoline-based drugs are used for children from 2 years of age. These drugs include Xylen, Galazolin, Otrivin, Rinostop.
Compositions based on oxymetazole are allowed to be used in a dosage of 0.01% for children from birth to one year. With age, the dosage increases. In this group, “Nazivin”, “Nazol”, “Rinostop Extra” stand out.
Medications for adults
How to treat a runny nose without fever and with fever in adults? Most often, vasoconstrictor drugs are used to facilitate breathing. They can be made on the basis of various active substances.
There are 3 groups of similar drugs:
- A group of drugs based on xylometazoline. These include Rinonorm, Fornos, and Galazolin. The duration of their action is 4 hours. They are used strictly according to the instructions, and not at the moments when the nose is again blocked.
- Oxymethazoline-based medicines. They are available in different concentrations. The duration of such drugs is long. It is about 12 hours. However, this group of drugs has more contraindications (pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, renal failure). The most popular drugs are Nazol, Nazivin.
- Drugs based on naphazoline. These are medium-acting vasoconstrictors. They allow you to remove unpleasant symptoms for up to 6 hours. Popular drugs are Naftizin and Sanorin. The second option is considered the safest. It contains natural ingredients.
The choice depends on the characteristics of the disease. Drops and sprays are prescribed by a doctor. Treatment cannot last more than 5 days with these drugs.
Other recommendations
How to treat a runny nose and fever? Antipyretic, antiviral, antibacterial drugs are selected by the doctor. It depends on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, it is recommended not to leave the house. In the room you need to provide the right microclimate.
In the early stages, folk recipes can be used. For example, you can do inhalation (breathe over a pot of boiled potatoes). More effective are the procedures that involve adding a few drops of essential oils to the heated water. They are periodically introduced into hot water throughout the procedure.
Need to drink plenty of fluids. It can be herbal tea made from leaves and branches of currant. You can add lemon to the drink. You should also consume a small amount of honey. It must not be stirred in hot water. Dissolve honey in a small amount to prevent the development of complications in the nasopharynx. A decoction of wild rose, chamomile helps well. The ginger drink is also known for its antibacterial, antiviral effect.
You need to clean your nose with disposable noses. Gently wash the nasal passages with saline. It is necessary to avoid the appearance of excessive pressure in his cavity. In the second and third stages, medication, complex treatment is required.
Having considered what to do when a runny nose and temperature appear, you can start treatment in a timely manner.