Nasal congestion, dryness and burning of the mucous membrane, profuse 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 allergy variants; 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 collective. Therefore, you should know whether a runny nose is contagious, during what period of time a patient suffering from rhinitis is dangerous to others.
The concept of a cold
The occurrence of a cold is commonly associated with a cold. A person who is sniffling and sniffing most often also complains of weakness, dizziness, fever, coughs and does not part with a handkerchief. Such symptoms really characterize the common cold - a disease in which hypothermia helps to weaken the immune system and creates conditions for the start of an infectious-inflammatory process.
You should be aware that the concept of "cold" is far enough from modern medical terminology and cannot include all types of infectious rhinitis 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 is carried out not from the outside, but with the participation of its own conditionally pathogenic flora. Hypothermia promotes the activation of those microorganisms that, even normally, are constantly in the nose, throat, on the 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), viruses of the respiratory group (adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, etc.) prevail as causative agents. They are transmitted from the source of infection (a sick person), first of all, they fall on the nasal mucosa. The multiplication of the virus and the response of the immune system to its invasion into the body leads to inflammation - rhinitis.
At the same time, a stuffy nose is not always indicative of an infection. A runny nose, that is, congestion, impaired nasal breathing and the discharge from the nose of a pathological secretion of a serous, mucous, purulent or mixed (for example, mucopurulent) nature, may be due to:
- an 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);
- polyposis of the nose (pathological growth of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity).
Since the causes of the onset of a runny nose are quite numerous, in order to find out the degree of risk of infection, it is necessary to understand the nature of rhinitis in a particular patient.
The likelihood of infection
Should you avoid communicating with anyone who suffers from a cold? How to recognize if there is a risk of infection? These questions are relevant throughout the year, since many people most of the time (staying in kindergarten, school classroom, office) are in close contact with each other.
Allergic, vasomotor rhinitis, as well as various options for hypertrophy of the mucous membrane, polyps as non-infectious variants of the common cold have a chronic course, but do not exclude the possibility of an infectious process. It is impossible to get infected only if the patient has an isolated non-infectious form of the common cold. In this case, it is characteristic:
- a sudden onset after contact with a provocateur (for example, an allergic rhinitis develops within half an hour from the moment the pollen allergen is inhaled, and vasomotor rhinitis is provoked by irritants - cold air, cigarette smoke, etc.);
- the possibility of relief with drugs (this is true for allergic rhinitis, which in many cases can be stopped by taking an antihistamine, using topical glucocorticosteroids);
- absence of intoxication syndrome (for an infectious rhinitis, in contrast to non-infectious rhinitis, inherent increasing weakness, fever with chills and a significant deterioration in the general condition);
- the probable presence of episodes of non-infectious rhinitis in the anamnesis.
A runny nose is contagious if the patient has 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 in the nasal cavity.
A patient with acute rhinitis, suffering from ARI, when sneezing, blowing his nose and coughing, releases the smallest particles of pathological secretions containing the virus. Inhalation of such an aerosol or mechanical transfer of infected mucus causes infection. Sneezing and coughing is not the only route of transmission. The causative agent is also released during a conversation. The throwing radius is about 3-3.5 m.
The likelihood of infection depends on the susceptibility of the contact person, the functional capabilities 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 infection spread
A patient who suffers from 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 the disease, sometimes even during the incubation period. The danger is represented by patients with any form of infection - including erased (satisfactory general condition, no fever). All patients with a common cold are most contagious at the onset of symptoms and during the first 2-3 days. However, the risk of transmission of the infection remains until recovery (even during the period of convalescence, that is, recovery). In rare cases, the shedding of the pathogen continues for 2 weeks, when the symptoms have completely disappeared.
The contact transmission route implies not only close contact (for example, with a kiss), but also indirect contact through common objects. With a runny nose, they can be handrails in public transport, door handles, office supplies - a feature of the contact path is to preserve the pathogen on their surface. Aerosols dry up and lose their epidemiological hazard within a few hours, but some infectious agents remain persistent in the dust for up to several days. Visit the website https://casinopromo.ru to find the current promotional codes for registration
Thus, a runny nose of an infectious nature is contagious for at least several days.
Prevention of infection
What should be done 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 being in the same room, visiting crowded places.
- Remember personal hygiene.
It is worth washing your hands more often, drying yourself only with a personal towel, excluding touching your face with your fingers, office supplies.
- Use a mask.
This is especially important with direct contact, such as when caring for a sick person. The mask should be changed at least every 4 hours.
- Monitor the condition of the nasal mucosa.
Sufficient hydration of the nasal mucosa helps to maintain the maximum activity of local immunity, and, accordingly, to protect against infection. For moisturizing, you can use saline nasal drops, rinsing with saline.
The patient can reduce the risk of infection of others by using disposable handkerchiefs, remembering to wash their hands after each blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing, covering their mouth with a handkerchief while sneezing. The patient is given separate dishes, towels, soap, bed linen. It is recommended to regularly ventilate the room where the patient is (in his absence).
