Is chronic rhinitis contagious?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Chronic rhinitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa. Clinically, it can be divided into simple, hypertrophic, and atrophic types. The treatment generally primarily involves the use of local medications, and typically does not involve the use of antiviral or antibiotic medications. Chronic rhinitis is not contagious. However, it is important to be aware of other conditions that can cause chronic rhinitis, such as tuberculosis-induced rhinitis and syphilitic rhinitis. These are not cases of the rhinitis itself being contagious, but rather the transmission of pathogens, so it cannot be simply stated that chronic rhinitis is contagious. Clinically diagnosed chronic rhinitis is definitively non-contagious.

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Causes of Seasonal Rhinitis

Seasonal rhinitis, also known as allergic rhinitis, is considered an autoimmune disease, and its onset may be related to genetic factors. If direct relatives have allergic rhinitis, the likelihood of developing allergic rhinitis is relatively higher. Some patients are also related to environmental factors, such as frequent exposure to dust, pollen, and seafood, which also increases the likelihood of triggering allergic rhinitis. Clinical symptoms are numerous, with common ones including repeated itchy nose, runny clear nasal discharge, and sneezing. In terms of treatment, oral medications and nasal spray medications for anti-allergy treatment are commonly used, and regular follow-ups are needed to observe the effects. (Medication use should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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How to relieve chronic rhinitis

Chronic rhinitis mainly refers to the inflammation of the nasal mucosa and submucosa, which may be related to allergic states, bacterial infections, viral infections, and environmental factors, as well as the patient's diet and lifestyle habits. Traditional Chinese medicine considers this a manifestation of excessive heat or internal heat. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid catching a cold, smoking, drinking alcohol, staying up late, and consuming spicy or stimulating food. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods that are cooling and slightly bitter may help. Under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist, the use of antihistamines and traditional Chinese medicines for clearing heat and detoxifying can be beneficial. Applying glucocorticoid nasal sprays may also help. Generally, such treatments can alleviate or cure the condition.

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Chronic rhinitis symptoms

Chronic rhinitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease with various clinical symptoms and individual differences. The common symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, dizziness, and some patients may also experience a decline in memory. Generally, the symptoms of chronic rhinitis are not particularly severe, and the harm to physical health is not particularly significant. For diagnosis, nasopharyngoscopy and sinus CT can be performed to assess the specific severity of the condition. In terms of treatment, it generally involves oral medications and nasal sprays, and regular follow-ups are needed to monitor the recovery process.

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Does nasal irrigation work for chronic rhinitis?

Patients with chronic rhinitis can benefit from nasal irrigation as it is effective in treatment, and some patients may experience particularly good results. Nasal irrigation helps reduce the retention of secretions in the nasal cavity, improves clinical symptoms, and can also help reduce the likelihood of acute flare-ups of chronic rhinitis. However, the specific treatment outcomes can vary among individuals, and some patients may still need to combine the treatment with medications. Common medications include oral drugs and nasal spray medications. Following this comprehensive treatment approach, most patients will gradually see their condition controlled and alleviated. However, it is currently difficult to completely cure chronic rhinitis, as it tends to recur. (Please take medications under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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How to distinguish between rhinitis and a cold

The distinction between rhinitis and a cold primarily hinges on the following aspects: first and foremost, the specific onset time of the illness. Colds generally occur suddenly and last for a relatively short duration, about a week; whereas the duration of rhinitis may be longer, and some individuals might even experience chronic rhinitis, meaning the onset duration for rhinitis is relatively longer. The second aspect is the symptoms. Cold symptoms may include nasal congestion and a runny nose, but most patients will also exhibit other uncomfortable symptoms, such as sore throat, body aches, or fever. In the case of rhinitis, the primary symptoms are usually nasal, such as congestion, runny nose, and sneezing, and generally, there are rarely any whole-body symptoms. The third method is through an examination of the nasal cavity, which is primarily based on the doctor's experiential judgment. These three aspects essentially allow for the differentiation between rhinitis and a cold.