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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What are the symptoms of chronic rhinitis?

Chronic rhinitis is caused by recurrent acute rhinitis or prolonged unresolved nasal symptoms. Patients may experience bilateral nasal congestion, which alternates in severity; the congestion is usually less during physical activity during the day and more severe when resting at night. Additionally, the nasal cavity may produce mucous secretions, and when accompanied by bacterial infection, yellow secretions may appear. Patients may also experience headaches, dry mouth, and decreased memory among other related symptoms. During examination, congested and swollen nasal turbinates on both sides are evident, and the effectiveness of ephedrine in causing constriction is good. In treatment, patients can initially use nebulized inhalation to constrict the nasal turbinates and reduce nasal congestion. Regular physical exercise is also needed to restore the function of the nasal mucosa, leading to gradual improvement. If conservative treatment is ineffective, local surgical removal may be required for recovery. (Medication use must be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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How to prevent seasonal rhinitis

Seasonal rhinitis, also known as allergic rhinitis with seasonal outbreaks, requires the identification of specific allergens for its prevention. This type of rhinitis is caused by allergies to seasonal factors, so it is necessary to visit an allergen testing center at an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department of a hospital to determine the specific allergens. Then, prior to the season, preventative measures can be taken to avoid contact with these allergens. Medications can be started one or two weeks in advance to alleviate the symptoms of rhinitis. Common medications include anti-allergy nasal steroids and other anti-allergy drugs such as antihistamines and leukotriene antagonists. Nasal steroids are typically administered via nasal spray once or twice a day, and during the prevention period, it can be sprayed once a day.

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What are the symptoms of rhinitis?

The symptoms of rhinitis are quite varied, and different types of rhinitis have different symptoms. For example, common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include repeated itching of the nose, clear nasal discharge, sneezing, and a certain correlation with seasons or exposure to external allergens. If it is chronic rhinitis, the main symptoms are repeated poor nasal ventilation, accompanied by a runny nose, but generally there is rarely sneezing. In the case of acute rhinitis, the main symptoms are sudden nasal congestion and nasal discharge, which generally consists of viscous mucus, and may also be accompanied by headaches and dizziness. However, acute rhinitis generally has a short duration of illness, with most recoveries occurring around one week.

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Can chronic rhinitis be cured completely?

Chronic rhinitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease, and there are many treatment methods available at present. However, existing medical measures mainly focus on controlling symptoms and alleviating the condition, and it is very difficult to achieve a complete cure. Most patients undergo treatment with oral medications and nasal sprays, after which symptoms generally tend to reduce and the degree of inflammatory response also declines. Nonetheless, a complete cure is still elusive; the main goal is to reduce the frequency of acute attacks of chronic rhinitis, relieve clinical symptoms, and prevent significant impact on daily life. Overall, it is considered a common chronic disease that does not pose a significant threat to overall health. (Please consult a professional physician for medication guidance and avoid self-medicating.)

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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.)