How long is a runny nose contagious to others?

Nasal congestion, dryness and burning of the mucous membrane, copious discharge or purulent crusts - all these symptoms characterize one of the most common inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract - rhinitis. A runny nose is a typical symptom of the common cold, as well as numerous allergies; it can occur in both children and adults. You can meet a person with a stuffy nose anywhere;
very often rhinitis is observed in one of the family members or work team . Therefore, you should know whether a runny nose is contagious, and during what period of time a patient suffering from rhinitis is dangerous to others.

Concept of runny nose

The appearance of a runny nose is usually associated with a cold. A person who sniffles and sniffles most often also complains of weakness, dizziness, increased body temperature, coughs and does not part with a handkerchief
. Such symptoms really characterize a cold - a disease in which hypothermia weakens the immune system and creates conditions for the start of an infectious-inflammatory process.

You should know that the concept of “cold” is quite far from modern medical terminology and cannot include all types of infectious runny nose combined. Rhinitis, that is, inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which is called a runny nose in everyday life, is a manifestation of various infectious processes that occur acutely or chronically

.
With a cold, hypothermia plays the role of a provoking factor, and infection occurs not from the outside, but with the participation of one’s own opportunistic flora. Hypothermia promotes the activation of those microorganisms that, even normally, are constantly in the nose, pharynx, and tonsils
. Most often, the patient already has a focus of chronic inflammation - an exacerbation of the pathological process occurs.

When it comes to acute respiratory infection (ARI), respiratory viruses (adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, etc.) predominate as pathogens. They are transmitted from the source of infection (sick person), primarily reaching the nasal mucosa
. The multiplication of the virus and the response of the immune system to its invasion of the body leads to inflammation - rhinitis.

At the same time, a stuffy nose does not always indicate the presence of an infection. A runny nose, that is, congestion, impaired nasal breathing and discharge from the nose of a pathological secretion of a serous, mucous, purulent or mixed (for example, mucopurulent) nature, can be caused by:

allergic reaction (to pollen of flowers and trees, household dust, animal hair, etc.);
hyperreactivity of the nasal mucosa as a result of dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (vasomotor rhinitis);
nasal polyposis (pathological growth of the nasal mucosa).

Since the causes of a runny nose are quite numerous, to determine the degree of risk of infection, it is necessary to understand the nature of rhinitis in a particular patient.

Is a runny nose without fever contagious to others? Truth and myths about snot

A runny nose is a symptom that accompanies colds and snot in most cases, but this term often refers to the cold itself .

Many believe that such a disease is exclusively local inflammatory processes, and they occur only in the affected tissues of the patient.

In fact, the causative agents of a runny nose are infections, and in such cases a runny nose can be contagious.

Less commonly, this phenomenon occurs due to allergies , but in such cases there is no need to fear infection.

What is a runny nose?

But it is also a symptomatic phenomenon , which manifests itself in the form of mucus discharge from the nasal passages, inflammation and swelling of the nasal mucosa, sneezing attacks and other specific symptoms.

Basically, this disease develops as a result of hypothermia.

This leads to disturbances in the functioning of the immune system, and this, in turn, is a stimulating factor for the activation and spread of pathogenic and opportunistic microflora in the human body.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJAhNKJhXSk

When nasal congestion occurs, the mucous membranes of the nasal passages are affected, and this symptom is characteristic of colds of infectious (viral or bacterial) origin, as well as allergic reactions .

Possibility of infection with a runny nose

chronic;
allergic;
hypertrophic;
vasomotor;
runny nose caused by the formation of polyps and adenoids in the nasal passages.

But if in these cases any infectious disease of the nasopharynx and respiratory tract is subsequently added, the disease becomes contagious, like any form of bacterial or viral cold.

The likelihood of contracting snot is not the same for everyone.

You also need to consider how close and frequent contacts occur between the patient and others.

The causative agents of the disease are easily transmitted by airborne droplets: when sneezing and coughing, the infection is released within a radius of up to three and a half meters.

The likelihood of becoming infected in a group with constant contact with a sick person is several times higher than a random short-term stay near a sick person.

Is a runny nose without fever contagious?

This question cannot be answered unequivocally: you must first undergo an examination and find out the etiology of nasal congestion .

In such cases, there is no fever, and the likelihood of infection is minimal or completely absent .

On the other hand, nasal congestion without fever in the first few days may be a sign of viral rhinitis, which is transmitted by airborne droplets, household and contact .

How many days does a person with a runny nose remain contagious?

The peak development of an infectious runny nose occurs on the fourth or fifth day.

During this period, the patient experiences thick nasal discharge, which contains pus, dead mucosal cells, as well as infections and their waste products.

All this time the patient is contagious , but after this time the likelihood of transmitting the disease to others decreases.

And after 8-10 days there is no fear of infection , even if the person with nasal congestion still has residual symptoms of the disease.

But with close contact, even during this period you can become infected.

In the worst case scenario , the maximum time a person with a viral runny nose remains contagious is two weeks .

If the disease is of bacterial origin, you should be wary of infection until the symptoms are completely eliminated.

In some cases this may take more than two to three weeks.

Probability of infection

Should you avoid interacting with anyone who has a runny nose? How to recognize whether there is a risk of infection? These questions are relevant throughout the year, since many people most of the time (staying in kindergarten, school class, office) are in close contact with each other.

Allergic, vasomotor rhinitis, as well as various variants of hypertrophy of the mucous membrane, polyps as non-infectious variants of the runny nose have a chronic course, but do not exclude the possibility of an infectious process. It is impossible to become infected only if the patient has an isolated non-infectious form of the common cold. This is typical:

sudden onset after contact with a provocateur (for example, an allergic runny nose develops within half an hour from the moment of inhalation of a pollen allergen, and vasomotor rhinitis is provoked by irritants - cold air, cigarette smoke, etc.);
the possibility of relief with medications (this is true for allergic rhinitis, which in many cases can be stopped by taking an antihistamine or using topical glucocorticosteroids);
absence of intoxication syndrome (infectious rhinitis, in contrast to non-infectious rhinitis, is characterized by increasing weakness, fever with chills and a significant deterioration in general condition);
probable presence of episodes of non-infectious runny nose in the anamnesis.

A runny nose is contagious if the patient suffers an acute viral or bacterial infection - acute viral or bacterial rhinitis.

ARIs are extremely contagious; they are characterized by an acute onset, a rapid increase in signs of intoxication syndrome (fever, weakness), damage not only to the nose, but also to the pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. The pathogen is localized in the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, including the nasal cavity.

A patient with acute rhinitis, suffering from ARI, when sneezing, blowing his nose and coughing, releases tiny particles of pathological secretion containing the virus. Inhalation of such an aerosol or mechanical transfer of infected mucus causes infection

.
Sneezing and coughing are not the only route of transmission. The pathogen is also released during a conversation
. The ejection radius is about 3-3.5 m.

The likelihood of infection depends on the susceptibility of the contact person, the functionality of his immune system, the presence of a number of additional factors (early childhood and old age, pregnancy, immunodeficiency of various etiologies, etc.).

Duration of spread of infection

A patient who suffers infectious rhinitis transmits the pathogen:

by airborne droplets;
by contact.

The spread of a virus or bacteria by airborne droplets occurs already from the first hours of illness, sometimes even during the incubation period. The danger is posed by patients with any form of infection, including erased (satisfactory general condition, absence of fever)

.
All patients with a runny nose are most contagious at the beginning of the onset of symptoms and during the first 2-3 days
.
However, the risk of transmission of infection remains until recovery (even during the period of convalescence, that is, recovery)
. In rare cases, the release of the pathogen continues for 2 weeks, when the symptoms have completely disappeared.

The contact route of transmission involves not only close contact (for example, with a kiss), but also indirect contact through shared objects. When you have a runny nose, they can be handrails in public transport, door handles, office supplies - the peculiarity of the contact path is that the pathogen remains on their surface

. Aerosols dry out and lose their epidemiological danger within a few hours, but some infectious agents remain persistent in dust for up to several days.

Thus, a runny nose of an infectious nature is contagious for at least several days.

Prevention of infection

What should you do to avoid getting a runny nose? Necessary:

Stop or limit communication with the patient as much as possible.

This applies not only to close contact, but also to staying in the same room and visiting crowded places.

Remember personal hygiene.

You should wash your hands more often, dry yourself only with a personal towel, and avoid touching your face with your fingers or stationery objects.

Use a mask.

This is especially important when there is direct contact, such as when caring for a patient. The mask should be changed at least every 4 hours.

Monitor the condition of the nasal mucosa.

Sufficient hydration of the nasal mucosa helps maintain maximum activity of local immunity, and, accordingly, protection against infection. To moisturize, you can use saline drops in the nose and rinse with a saline solution.

A patient can reduce the risk of infecting others by using disposable handkerchiefs, remembering to wash their hands after each blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing, and while sneezing, cover their mouth with a handkerchief rather than with their palm. The patient is provided with separate dishes, towels, soap, bed linen
. It is recommended to regularly ventilate the room where the patient is located (in his absence).

Author: Torsunova Tatyana

Sources: medscape.com, health.harvard.edu, medicalnewstoday.com.

A runny nose is one of the most common pathological conditions of the nasal mucosa. Doctors call a runny nose rhinitis

. Rhinitis is an unpleasant phenomenon, which is accompanied by a whole complex of symptoms: nasal congestion, dryness and burning of the mucous membranes, the appearance of copious discharge, and lacrimation.

The causes of a runny nose vary, ranging from infections to allergic reactions. Rhinitis “does not spare” anyone: neither adults nor children

.
Meeting a person with a stuffy nose can happen anywhere
.
Often, a runny nose occurs in one of the family members, or in a member of an organized team (kindergarten group, classroom, work group, etc.
).
It is logical that no one wants to be in the place of the sick person
.
Therefore, to fully understand whether a runny nose is contagious , you need to understand what it is.

Runny nose - what is it?

A runny nose is a phenomenon that often occurs with colds of various origins. It is worth understanding that the term “cold” combines a huge range of diseases

.
But in the minds of a person far from medicine, a cold and a runny nose are identical concepts
.
Doctors talk about a cold when a runny nose occurs as a result of hypothermia, against the background of a weakened immune system
. This contributes to the activation of opportunistic flora, which, during normal functioning of the body’s defenses, did not cause a runny nose. Although in the vast majority of cases, a focus of chronic inflammation has already taken place.

If a runny nose is caused by viruses, then we are talking about infectious rhinitis. The flow of mucus from the nose is often provoked by viruses such as: adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, etc. This runny nose is contagious, as it is transmitted from one person to another by airborne droplets

.
Once on the nasal mucosa, the virus begins to create its own copies
.
The immune system reacts to this process, which leads to inflammation, swelling and copious mucus discharge
. Viral rhinitis initially has an acute course, but can become chronic. If the cause of the disease is a viral infection, which happens in more than 90% of cases, then the person simultaneously experiences the following symptoms: fever, headaches, and general malaise.

Other causes of a runny nose may include the following factors:

Allergy. It occurs when inhaling plant pollen, animal hair, house dust, etc. Allergic rhinitis is often seasonal.
Disturbances in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, which leads to hyperactivity of the nasal mucosa. In this case we are talking about vasomotor rhinitis.
Overgrowth of the nasal mucosa - nasal polyps.

In these cases, a runny nose occurs without fever and without deterioration in the person’s general well-being. Knowing what exactly led to nasal congestion will help you understand whether a particular person is contagious or not

What to do?

If the patient has a stuffy nose, you can use Farmazolin or Rinazolin drops.
If, nevertheless, infection occurs from another person, all measures must be taken to ensure that rhinitis does not turn into chronic and complications do not arise. The nasal passages must be washed 3-4 times a day. To do this, use physiological or saline solution, sea water. If nasal congestion creates severe discomfort and impairs breathing, you can use vasoconstrictor drugs: Rinazolin, Nazol, Naphthyzin, Farmazolin. They exist in the form of a spray and drops for local application. They are prescribed 2-3 times a day for 3-5 days. These drugs should not be abused, as this can cause addiction and damage the integrity of the vascular wall.

To avoid infecting other people, you need to wear a cotton-gauze bandage and change it at least 3 times a day.

If rhinitis is of an allergic nature, the measures to help are completely different. First of all, you need to isolate the patient from the source of allergens. This can be plant pollen, animal hair and feathers, house dust. Next, you need to use local antiallergic drugs: Budesonide, Flicosanze, Aldecin. This will instantly improve the respiratory function and general condition of the patient. To reduce the level of the allergen complex in the body, systemic antihistamines are used in the form of tablets: Cetrin, Zodak, Erius, Parlazin.

What is the probability of infection?

Allergic rhinitis, vasomotor runny nose and runny nose against the background of polyps will not lead to infection only if an infectious process is not associated with nasal congestion. This can be understood by the following signs:

The patient developed nasal congestion immediately after interacting with the provoking factor. Thus, allergic rhinitis occurs within 30 minutes after inhaling the allergen. Vasomotor rhinitis develops when the nasal mucosa is exposed to cold air or cigarette smoke.
The runny nose stops after a single dose of the drug. Allergic rhinitis will be relieved after the person is prescribed an antihistamine.
There is no intoxication of the body (no fever, chills, unwellness, etc.).
The person had previously experienced a runny nose of a non-infectious nature.

When a patient’s rhinitis is of viral or bacterial origin, get a runny nose from it quite quickly.

Moreover, all acute respiratory viral infections are extremely contagious , accompanied by an acute onset of the disease, with an increase in body temperature, sore throat, and nasal congestion. When coughing, sneezing and talking, a person releases particles of mucus that contain the virus into the environment. If such a fine aerosol gets onto the nasal mucosa of one person from another person , infection will occur. This is how the infection spreads in most cases.

A mechanical route of transmission of the virus through dirty hands and common household items is also possible. Therefore, to understand whether it is possible to become infected with rhinitis, it is so important to know the true cause of its occurrence.

There are factors that influence whether infection will occur:

the state of the immune system (the weaker it is, the higher the risk of infection);
state of human health (presence of foci of chronic infection in the nasopharynx);
the age of the person (children and the elderly are at risk);
individual susceptibility of the body to a specific virus, etc.

What to do if you have an itchy nose and sneezing? - useful article.

Runny nose: is it contagious to others?

A runny nose is one of the most common pathological conditions of the nasal mucosa. Doctors call a runny nose rhinitis. Rhinitis is an unpleasant phenomenon, which is accompanied by a whole complex of symptoms: nasal congestion, dryness and burning of the mucous membranes, the appearance of copious discharge, and lacrimation.

The causes of a runny nose vary, ranging from infections to allergic reactions. Rhinitis “does not spare” anyone: neither adults nor children. Meeting a person with a stuffy nose can happen anywhere.

Often, a runny nose occurs in one of the family members, or in a member of an organized team (kindergarten group, classroom, work group, etc.). It is logical that no one wants to be in the place of the sick person.

Therefore, to fully understand whether a runny nose is contagious , you need to understand what it is.

Runny nose - what is it?

A runny nose is a phenomenon that often occurs with colds of various origins. It is worth understanding that the term “cold” combines a huge range of diseases. But in the minds of a person far from medicine, a cold and a runny nose are identical concepts.

Doctors talk about a cold when a runny nose occurs as a result of hypothermia, against a background of weakened immunity. This contributes to the activation of opportunistic flora, which, during normal functioning of the body’s defenses, did not cause a runny nose.

Although in the vast majority of cases, a focus of chronic inflammation has already taken place.

If a runny nose is caused by viruses, then we are talking about infectious rhinitis. The flow of mucus from the nose is often provoked by viruses such as: adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, etc. This runny nose is contagious, as it is transmitted from one person to another by airborne droplets. Once on the nasal mucosa, the virus begins to create its own copies.

The immune system reacts to this process, which leads to inflammation, swelling and copious mucus discharge. Viral rhinitis initially has an acute course, but can become chronic.

If the cause of the disease is a viral infection, which happens in more than 90% of cases, then the person simultaneously experiences the following symptoms: fever, headaches, and general malaise.

Other causes of a runny nose may include the following factors:

Allergy. It occurs when inhaling plant pollen, animal hair, house dust, etc. Allergic rhinitis is often seasonal.
Disturbances in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, which leads to hyperactivity of the nasal mucosa. In this case we are talking about vasomotor rhinitis.
Overgrowth of the nasal mucosa - nasal polyps.

What is the probability of infection?

The patient developed nasal congestion immediately after interacting with the provoking factor. Thus, allergic rhinitis occurs within 30 minutes after inhaling the allergen. Vasomotor rhinitis develops when the nasal mucosa is exposed to cold air or cigarette smoke.
The runny nose stops after a single dose of the drug. Allergic rhinitis will be relieved after the person is prescribed an antihistamine.
There is no intoxication of the body (no fever, chills, unwellness, etc.).
The person had previously experienced a runny nose of a non-infectious nature.

When a patient has rhinitis of viral or bacterial origin, get a runny nose from it quite quickly.

Moreover, all acute respiratory viral infections are extremely contagious , accompanied by an acute onset of the disease, with an increase in body temperature, sore throat, and nasal congestion.

When coughing, sneezing and talking, a person releases particles of mucus that contain the virus into the environment.

If such a fine aerosol gets onto the nasal mucosa of one person
from another person , infection will occur.
This is how the infection spreads in most cases. A mechanical route of transmission of the virus through dirty hands and common household items is also possible. Therefore, to understand whether it is possible to become infected with rhinitis, it is so important to know the true cause of its occurrence.

There are factors that influence whether infection will occur:

the state of the immune system (the weaker it is, the higher the risk of infection);
state of human health (presence of foci of chronic infection in the nasopharynx);
the age of the person (children and the elderly are at risk);
individual susceptibility of the body to a specific virus, etc.

What to do if you have an itchy nose and sneezing? - useful article.

How many days does a person remain infectious?

If the virus or bacteria that causes rhinitis is transmitted by airborne droplets, then the sick person will be dangerous to others from the first hours of infection.

At this time, he himself may have no symptoms of the disease (incubation stage).

Such people will remain infectious for the first 3 days after infection, and sometimes until recovery.

Viruses and bacteria can be transmitted through contact. In this case, they settle on railings, handrails, and door handles.

For infection to occur, it is enough to touch them, and then simply rub your nose and eyes with the same hand.

Viruses will not lose their activity until the mucus in which they are located dries, and this will happen after a few hours. In dust, pathogenic microorganisms can remain viable for up to 5-7 days.

So, a runny nose is contagious for 3-7 days if it is viral or bacterial in nature.

How to prevent infection: measures to prevent a runny nose

To avoid contracting rhinitis, the following precautions must be taken:

Avoid crowds of people during a cold epidemic. If infected and healthy family members live in the same apartment, then all contact with each other must be minimized.
A basic hygiene rule such as hand washing will help prevent infection. You must only use your own towel.
Touch your face and eyes with your hands as little as possible, especially in public places.
If a person is forced to care for a sick person, then it is imperative to use a mask. It should be changed every 4 hours.
The nasal mucosa must be constantly moistened (sprays based on sea water are suitable for this). After visiting public places, it is a good idea to rinse your nasal passages with salt water.

The patient himself must take care not to pass the runny nose on to another person.

To do this, he should use disposable handkerchiefs, cover his mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and avoid visiting public places if he has an infectious runny nose.

The room in which an infected person is located must be thoroughly ventilated and wet cleaning done several times a day.

Good to know - How to properly use children's Arbidol?

If infection occurs

In the event that a person is still infected, it is necessary to consult a doctor. However, as practice shows, most people prefer to fight a runny nose on their own. To ease the course of the disease, you must follow the following recommendations:

Clean your nasal passages regularly.
Use antiviral drugs. Arbidol or Anaferon can be taken orally for a viral infection .
To facilitate nasal breathing, vasoconstrictors can be instilled into the nasal passages. Such drugs as Tizin, Sanorin, Xymelin effectively relieve swelling from the nasal mucosa .
Rinofluimucil is one of the modern drugs to relieve nasal congestion. It only reduces swelling, but also promotes thinning and easy removal of viscous mucus.

If your runny nose does not go away within 5 days, you should consult a doctor. It should be remembered that snot without fever may not always occur against the background of allergies and vice versa. Therefore, to determine the true cause of a runny nose, it is best to visit a doctor's office.

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Source: https://nasmork.net/nasmork-zarazen-li-on-dlya-okruzhayushhih/

How many days does a person remain infectious?

If the virus or bacteria that causes rhinitis is transmitted by airborne droplets, then the sick person will be dangerous to others from the first hours of infection. At this time, he himself may have no symptoms of the disease (incubation stage)
. Such people will remain infectious for the first 3 days after infection, and sometimes until recovery.

Viruses and bacteria can be transmitted through contact. In this case, they settle on railings, on handrails, on door handles
.
For infection to occur, it is enough to touch them, and then simply rub your nose and eyes with the same hand. Viruses will not lose their activity until the mucus in which they are located dries, and this will happen after a few hours
. In dust, pathogenic microorganisms can remain viable for up to 5-7 days.

So, a runny nose is contagious for 3-7 days if it is viral or bacterial in nature.

Is it possible to get infected?

The airborne type of transmission of the disease is valid only if a person has its viral form.
Only those patients who suffer from an infectious type of runny nose pose a danger to others. The causative agents of rhinitis are transmitted by airborne droplets - they are volatile and resistant to environmental conditions, which makes it possible to transmit from a sick person to a healthy person. Both acute and chronic forms imply the presence of a microorganism on the nasal mucosa, so such patients are contagious. A child has a higher risk of infection because his nasal passages are not fully developed and are heavily supplied with blood, which creates a breeding ground for pathogenic flora.

Allergic and neurovegetative runny nose is not transmitted from a sick person, so it cannot be infected. This is due to the fact that allergies are caused by allergens and when they come into contact with the nasal mucosa, they bind to specific receptors. The formed complex triggers a number of reactions, which is manifested by a runny nose and breathing problems.

How to prevent infection: measures to prevent a runny nose

To avoid contracting rhinitis, the following precautions must be taken:

Avoid crowds of people during a cold epidemic. If infected and healthy family members live in the same apartment, then all contact with each other must be minimized.
A basic hygiene rule such as hand washing will help prevent infection. You must only use your own towel.
Touch your face and eyes with your hands as little as possible, especially in public places.
If a person is forced to care for a sick person, then it is imperative to use a mask. It should be changed every 4 hours.
The nasal mucosa must be constantly moistened (sprays based on sea water are suitable for this). After visiting public places, it is a good idea to rinse your nasal passages with salt water.

The patient himself must take care not to pass the runny nose on to another person. To do this, he should use disposable handkerchiefs, cover his mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and avoid visiting public places if he has an infectious runny nose. The room in which an infected person is located must be thoroughly ventilated and wet cleaning done several times a day.

Good to know - How to properly use children's Arbidol?

If infection occurs

In the event that a person is still infected, it is necessary to consult a doctor. However, as practice shows, most people prefer to fight a runny nose on their own.

. To ease the course of the disease, you must follow the following recommendations:

Clean your nasal passages regularly.
Use antiviral drugs. Arbidol or Anaferon can be taken orally for a viral infection .
To facilitate nasal breathing, vasoconstrictors can be instilled into the nasal passages. Such drugs as Tizin, Sanorin, Xymelin effectively relieve swelling from the nasal mucosa .
Rinofluimucil is one of the modern drugs to relieve nasal congestion. It only reduces swelling, but also promotes thinning and easy removal of viscous mucus.

Rhinitis is a protective reaction of the nasal mucosa to any irritant. Often, a runny nose develops as a result of hypothermia, against the background of which disruptions in the body’s protective function occur, which is why pathogenic microorganisms begin to actively multiply in the mouth, nasopharynx and nasal cavity.

Also, a runny nose can appear during chronic diseases, when a person’s immunity is greatly weakened.

There are several types of rhinitis:

infectious;
allergic;
non-infectious, non-allergic.

Infectious runny nose is diagnosed in 50% of adults. It can be nonspecific (the initial stage of ARVI) and specific, that is, provoked by various infectious agents causing tuberculosis, diphtheria, scarlet fever or measles.

Allergic rhinitis without fever is provoked by a wide variety of pathogens. These include dust, mites, some medications, plant pollen, animal hair and more.

A runny nose, occurring without infectious or allergic factors, occurs due to impaired nasal breathing. This can be idiopathic vasomotor, occupational, hormonal or drug-induced rhinitis.

Sometimes a runny nose is a consequence of injury to the nasal mucosa. Its development is facilitated by surgery, penetration of a foreign body into the respiratory organ, or inhalation of chemicals, smoke or dust.

Due to such a variety of types of rhinitis, many are interested in the question: is a runny nose contagious, and if the answer is yes, then how long does the incubation period last?

Prevention

In order not to get infected with a runny nose, you need to maintain daily hygiene of the nasal passages so that the mucous membrane is clean and constantly restored. It is necessary to reduce contact with people with rhinitis or use cotton-gauze bandages at the site of the disease. During the cold season of the year, it is necessary to protect the nasal mucosa from inflammation. To do this, use “Oxolinic” ointment for topical use. If you experience symptoms of rhinitis or discomfort in the nose, you should immediately consult a doctor for help. Because only he is able to determine the type of runny nose and prescribe treatment.

In the case of allergic rhinitis, it is necessary to minimize the possibility of contact with allergens. To do this, they use samples to determine what exactly causes the allergy and isolate this product from the patient. If this is not possible, you need to have drops or sprays for intranasal use with you, so that if an allergic rhinitis develops, you can immediately help yourself.

In what cases is rhinitis transmitted?

Fortunately, not all types of runny nose can be contagious. But you can catch this disease from a person who is sick with the flu and other colds.

Pathogenic microbes during ARVI actively multiply only on the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. This determines the method of infection: when coughing or sneezing, pathogens with mucus and sputum leave the patient’s body and can spread freely.

To protect yourself from infection, you need to know the symptoms of viral diseases that cause colds. Almost every acute respiratory infection is accompanied by the following symptoms:

wet or dry cough;
labored breathing;
temperature;
snot and nasal congestion;
a sore throat;
sometimes tearfulness.

Other types of rhinitis are not transmitted from person to person, since inflammation in the nasal cavity is not associated with infection. The process is an individual reaction of the body to unfavorable external stimuli or congenital or acquired pathologies.

Rhinitis caused by fungi requires special attention, although this type of disease is not common. As a rule, it develops against the background of treatment with antibiotics, which have a detrimental effect on the intestinal microflora.

Fungi are prevented from multiplying by beneficial microorganisms, but when the number of pathogens prevails, the parasites begin to actively grow. Mycosis can be transmitted from another person if basic hygiene rules are not followed.

But more often its appearance is facilitated by a weakened immune system, long-term use of hormones, antibiotics and nasal trauma.

“I’m not contagious, it’s a cold!” A dangerous myth that starts epidemics

Rhinitis is a protective reaction of the nasal mucosa to any irritant.

Often, a runny nose develops as a result of hypothermia, against the background of which disruptions in the body’s protective function occur, which is why pathogenic microorganisms begin to actively multiply in the mouth, nasopharynx and nasal cavity.

Also, a runny nose can appear during chronic diseases, when a person’s immunity is greatly weakened.

There are several types of rhinitis:

infectious;
allergic;
non-infectious, non-allergic.

Allergic rhinitis without fever is provoked by a wide variety of pathogens. These include dust, mites, some medications, plant pollen, animal hair and more.

A runny nose, occurring without infectious or allergic factors, occurs due to impaired nasal breathing. This can be idiopathic vasomotor, occupational, hormonal or drug-induced rhinitis.

Due to such a variety of types of rhinitis, many are interested in the question: is a runny nose contagious, and if the answer is yes, then how long does the incubation period last?

In what cases is rhinitis transmitted?

It is important to know!

EVERYONE should know about this! UNBELIEVABLE BUT TRUE! Scientists have discovered a SCARY relationship.

It turns out that the cause of 50% of all ARVI diseases, accompanied by elevated temperature, as well as symptoms of fever and chills, are BACTERIA and PARASITES, such as Giardia, Ascaris and Toxocara.

How dangerous are these parasites? They can deprive health and EVEN LIFE, because they directly affect the immune system, causing irreparable harm. In 95% of cases, the immune system is powerless against bacteria, and diseases will not be long in coming.

To forget about parasites once and for all, while maintaining your health, experts and scientists advise taking.....

.. »

Fortunately, not all types of runny nose can be contagious. But you can catch this disease from a person who is sick with the flu and other colds.

To protect yourself from infection, you need to know the symptoms of viral diseases that cause colds. Almost every acute respiratory infection is accompanied by the following symptoms:

wet or dry cough;
labored breathing;
temperature;
snot and nasal congestion;
a sore throat;
sometimes tearfulness.

Fungi are prevented from multiplying by beneficial microorganisms, but when the number of pathogens prevails, the parasites begin to actively grow. Mycosis can be transmitted from another person if basic hygiene rules are not followed.

But more often its appearance is facilitated by a weakened immune system, long-term use of hormones, antibiotics and nasal trauma.

Why do snot turn green?

As a rule, at the beginning of the disease, when the nasal mucosa is just beginning to get rid of infectious pathogens or allergens, the mucus has a transparent color, low viscosity and literally flows from the nose.

During a bacterial infection or when its microbial flora joins the viral flora, the pathogens are attacked by leukocytes. As a result of their digestion of the infection and the death of the cells themselves, green mucus is formed.

Source: https://DokMakarov.ru/terapiya/zarazny-li-sopli-bez-temperatury.html

How else can you catch a runny nose?

In addition to sneezing and coughing, pathogens can enter the body of a healthy person through household means. For example, when he touches an object that the day before was held in the hands of a patient who did not remove the remaining snot from his hands

. This method of transmitting a runny nose is typical for children's groups, especially during an epidemic.

You can also catch rhinitis after being in the paving, where the carrier of the infection had previously been. After all, pathogenic microorganisms spread quickly through the air.

How many days is an infected person dangerous for others?

Viral rhinitis can last from 2-3 days to a month or even more. How long the healing process will take depends on the following factors:

stamp of the virus that infected the nose;
the presence of a bacterial infection and its type;
level of immunity;
environmental and social conditions.

However, during the incubation period, when there are still no obvious signs of the disease, a person is already a spreader of the infection. But the greatest danger arises during the acute course of ARVI - the first few days after infection.

To answer the question of how long a patient can be dangerous, you should pay attention to his level of immunity. The average duration of enhanced viral shedding is 5-7 days.

Then the level of infection decreases, but if there is close contact with a sick person, the risk still remains. However, if immunity is reduced, then cold pathogens can be transmitted even during rehabilitation.

But how long does the maximum duration of infection last? Pathogenic microorganisms can be released into the environment for up to 14 days, and bacteria are transmitted until symptoms are relieved.

But if there is no fever with a runny nose, is it contagious? The absence of some signs of acute respiratory viral infection does not guarantee that there is no viral agent in the body.

Indeed, according to statistics, only 40% of people who get sick experience a sore throat, a cough occurs in 60% of cases, and rhinitis is always present during a cold, although the temperature may remain normal.

Is a runny nose contagious to humans? Is a runny nose without fever contagious to others: how is it transmitted?

Why do people treat the cold lightly and condescendingly, and sometimes don’t even consider it a disease? Is it possible to get infected from a person who just has a cold? A rash on the lip - a cosmetic inconvenience or a dangerous disease? What are the signs of “normal” influenza and how to distinguish it from the flu? Let's figure it out.

How to distinguish between symptoms of hypothermia and flu?
Can a cold from hypothermia be contagious?
How contagious is herpes on the lip?
Treatment options

Is a runny nose contagious to humans?

Is it possible to catch a runny nose from another person? The source of infection is always a sick person. Rhinoviruses are transmitted from person to person through airborne droplets and through contaminated objects.

If you are in a closed room with a sick person, you can easily get a runny nose.

Particles of the virus also settle on surrounding objects, which means that if a healthy person rubs his nose with unclean hands, the virus will be transmitted to him.

How many days is the virus active? Viral rhinitis is an infectious disease and has an incubation period that lasts from 3 to 5 days. While the nasal discharge is thick, the patient is contagious. If you do nothing, the runny nose will still go away, but it will last from 7 to 10 days. This period can be reduced by taking various measures.

If the virus has already entered the body, there is no point in taking preventive measures. All that remains is to support the immune system in all possible ways that will actively fight the virus. These include:

warm drink;
immunostimulants;
vitamins;
full sleep.

To make breathing easier, rinsing the nose to remove viral particles using salt water and soft oils is very helpful. A person with a runny nose should stay at home, keep warm and exercise a minimum of activity.

This way he will not be dangerous to others and will protect himself from complications. The body during the period of illness is very weakened and becomes more susceptible to any bacteria that can complicate the course of the disease.

Length of infectious period

Taking into account the fact that with a cold a person is only relatively contagious, he can transmit the disease only at first, when intensive secretion of pathological mucus develops and a cough is noted. Around days 4-7, the immune system suppresses the functionality of pathogenic microorganisms. That is, after the cessation of acute symptoms, the cold ceases to be contagious to others.

But is a cold from air conditioning contagious? This question is now more relevant than ever.

Even taking into account the fact that a person is only relatively contagious with a cold, he can transmit the disease only at first, when intense mucus secretion occurs and a cough is observed. On days 2–7, immunity suppresses the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. That is, after the acute symptoms disappear, the cold ceases to be contagious.

Residual effects do not pose a threat. The patient may still blow his nose for a long time in the morning and cough up to 5 times a day. In this way, the mucous membranes are renewed, dead cells that were previously infected and destroyed by immune forces are removed from the body.

At the same time, we must not forget that a common cold can develop into ARVI, pharyngitis, sore throat, and other respiratory tract diseases. An infection easily attaches to a weakened person. In this case, the infectious period increases.

According to the table of Dr. Komarovsky, ARVI: rhinoviruses, influenza, parainfluenza, parawhooping cough, adenoviruses, reoviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses can be transmitted.

There are the following patterns of progression of the respiratory diseases under consideration:

incubation period from several hours to 15 days - the patient is not contagious;
incubation period 1–2 days before the first complaints - contagious;
duration of illness (up to 10 days) – contagious;
after the disappearance of complaints (up to 3 weeks, more than 50 days - depending on the pathogen) - the infectious period.

The most dangerous cold is 1–2 days before the onset of symptoms and several days after. During this period of time, the virulence of viruses is at its highest.

How does a runny nose occur?

On the first day, dryness appears in the nasopharynx. A person feels irritation in the throat and nose. This condition lasts for two days. Usually on the second day swelling in the nose appears, the sense of smell is lost, the voice becomes nasal and the patient begins to actively sneeze. This condition is accompanied by a headache. Next comes the stage of nasal discharge.

Viscous and transparent snot begins to be released from the nostrils, blocking breathing. Around the fourth or fifth day, nasal discharge becomes purulent in nature. Their color changes from transparent to yellowish-greenish, and the amount of discharge gradually decreases.

From the eighth to the tenth day, swelling of the nasal mucosa is almost not felt, breathing is restored, and the sense of smell and taste returns.

If someone has to care for someone with a runny nose, they need to be extra careful to avoid catching the virus. After all, the viruses of a sick person spread throughout the room with sneezing and coughing. Both the air and surrounding objects become contagious. Therefore it is necessary:

put on a gauze bandage;
place the patient in a separate room with a window for frequent ventilation of the room;
change bedding every day to eliminate infestation;
Wash the patient's dishes separately, as viruses can be transmitted to others.

Is a runny nose without fever contagious or not? If the virus has managed to enter the human body, this means that it poses a danger to surrounding people.

Once caught, the disease is accompanied by damage to the nose and throat, which causes the patient to sneeze and cough. Thus, viruses can easily be transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person through airborne droplets.

In adults, a runny nose can occur without fever.

A person throughout his life, starting from childhood, periodically gets a runny nose. There are more than a hundred varieties of the common cold, for which there is no single vaccine. Viruses continue to pass from one person to another during the epidemic. Any runny nose is contagious, except for allergies.

How to distinguish a cold from the flu, ARVI

The “folk” understanding of what a cold is is very vague. Sometimes, when talking about this condition, a person may mean that he either has the flu, or herpes on the lips, or ARVI. Is it contagious or not, and what is the difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections?

So, malaise due to hypothermia of the body. As the English proverb says: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.” The cause of hypothermia is precisely carelessness in clothing, due to which a person can walk for a long time with wet feet, or sweat, and remain in the cold air.

This disease does not progress quickly. It almost always begins with a reaction of the nasal mucosa. Sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion appears, and the nasopharynx may swell. This happens because during hypothermia, immunity decreases, and pathogenic bacteria begin to actively multiply; viruses are more likely to penetrate the cells of the nasal mucosa.

As a rule, a couple of days after the onset of the disease, a slight runny nose complements the cough and the temperature rises to 38 degrees. All processes during a cold from hypothermia (in foreign literature: common cold) occur gradually.

And a doctor called to the house, and in any case it doesn’t hurt to see a specialist, usually diagnoses acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections. It is the gradual increase in symptoms characteristic of this condition that is the main difference between acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections and influenza.

The first sign that you have the flu and not another respiratory viral infection is a high temperature, sometimes 38 degrees or higher, already in the first hours of illness.
The general condition worsens sharply, there are muscle pains, pain in the eyes, nausea and vomiting may appear.
A runny nose and cough with the flu appears after a few days.

A cold is a result of exposure to cold. That is, the first reason to suspect this pathological condition is an external factor that is stressful for the body.

It can occur from hypothermia, draft, drinking cold drinks, or less often from overheating. In this case, the symptoms will be mild.

A common cold occurs without fever or with a slight increase in temperature, weakness, lethargy, runny nose, sore throat, and cough.

Source: https://bugmk.ru/gripp/zarazna-li-prostuda.html