Nasal congestion in coronavirus

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Despite the fact that with COVID-19, most often there is no runny nose, such cases are not uncommon. Nasal congestion in coronavirus is usually not accompanied by mucus production.

What causes nasal congestion during coronavirus infection

This symptom often leads to loss of sense of smell in covid patients. It occurs due to the fact that the pathogen affects special receptors that are responsible for a person's ability to capture odors.

It can block the nose when a large amount of mucus is released, however, with COVID-19, a runny nose does not always appear.

Congestion results from:

• ingestion of a respiratory pathogen along with COVID-19;
• development of rhinitis of bacterial etiology;
• the presence of allergic rhinitis.

Often allergic rhinitis can be caused by sprays and drops, which are used today as a remedy for the common cold.

It is important to remember that with a coronavirus infection, you cannot use such drugs without a doctor's prescription, as they often contribute to allergic reactions.

What a runny nose can be with Covid-19

As clinical practice shows, with COVID-19, proceeding in a mild form, no nasal discharge is observed. Snot is a reaction to secondary infection of a weakened mucous membrane with a bacterial pathogen. They can also be the result of an allergic reaction. These types of covid rhinitis are referred to as asymptomatic or subclinical.

By the type and color of nasal discharge in a patient, one can tell what caused the appearance of rhinitis. Most often, the discharge with covid can be transparent or cloudy, without an unpleasant odor. In addition, they may have the following characteristic features:

• a watery and fluid structure indicates the presence of an allergic reaction to the nasal mucosa;
• thick discharge interspersed with pus indicates the presence of a bacterial infection developing against the background of coronavirus;
• scanty discharge interspersed with blood speaks of overdried inflamed mucosa, which is formed during the development of atrophic rhinitis;
• discharge of a yellowish-green color with an unpleasant odor appears in those who suffer from chronic sinusitis or frontal sinusitis.

With coronavirus, nasal congestion is not prolonged, while the patient can partially breathe through the nose. There is little discharge if a secondary disease does not develop against the background of a viral infection. If the patient has an allergic reaction, then he has to breathe through his mouth.

Most often, profuse nasal discharge with COVID-19 occurs in children who carry this infection like a common ARVI, provided that they do not have severe chronic pathologies.

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How long does nasal congestion last in Covid-19?

Many people are interested in what day this symptom begins and how long it lasts.

A patient with a mild or atypical form of COVID-19 pawns on the second or third day after infection. Often, this may be the only symptom of a person's malaise. In children, nasal congestion with Covid-19 lasts from 5 to 7 days. In this case, the baby can feel normal.

A secondary infection can join on the 4-5th day, then in adults abundant nasal discharge begins, by the color of which one can judge which second pathogen hit the nasal mucosa weakened by the coronavirus.

Secondary infection is associated with reduced immunity.

In chronic diseases of the nasopharynx, the recommendations of doctors should be followed. This will prevent a dangerous infection from a mild and subclinical form from developing into a severe one.

What to do if a patient with Covid-19 has a stuffy nose

It is impossible to treat such a pathology as a common ARVI, since you can only aggravate the situation. What to do in the presence of nasal congestion can only be told by a doctor, who must be called at home if the test shows a positive result.

Usually, after examining the patient as symptomatic therapy, doctors can prescribe drugs:

• vasoconstrictor;
• antiviral;
• prophylactic external agents based on sea water.

Outcomes

If you have a stuffy nose with coronavirus, you should remember the following:

1. It is important not to confuse nasal congestion with common SARS.
2. It is impossible to independently treat nasal congestion with Covid-19 with conventional external agents, since you can only aggravate the patient's condition.
3. If the test for Covid-19 is positive, you need to call a doctor at home and go to quarantine mode.