Symptoms of rhinitis

The symptoms of rhinorrhoea (“running nose“), increased sneezing and dry cough without sputum (unproductive cough). Fever, sore throat and muscle pain often accompany a cold. Rhinorrhea refers to the excretion of nasal secretions (“nasal running“).

At the beginning of the rhinitis, it is usually clear and fluid, although a change in color and consistency occurs in the course of the illness. The reason for this is that inflammatory cells migrate into the diseased mucous membranes and damage them in the course of the cold. This affects the secretion, which is reflected in the color and consistency of the secretion.

A burning sensation in the nose is also often felt. In some cases, a superinfection with bacteria occurs after a viral infection. Such a superinfection – also called secondary infection – is understood to be a colonization of the diseased cells with bacteria on the bottom of an existing viral disease. The bacteria infest the mucous membranes already damaged during the rhinitis, so that the symptoms change and the condition of the person suffering from the rhinitis can worsen again.