Anybody with a “runny nose” or “stopped-up nose” may not be allowed in a building without a Covid test. If there are no other symptoms, except perhaps sneezing, Covid is very unlikely. If there are other symptoms, going on for under 2 weeks, see links to those:
โข Fever โข Recent Cough โข Body Aches โข Short of Breath โข Fatigue โข Sore Throat
The rest of this topic assumes it’s not Covid. See also Diagrams — Upper Respiratory System.
Causes of Nasal Congestion or Runny Nose
xxxCommon Diagnoses We Make At First โข Common Cold (if <2 wks) โข Allergic Rhinitis (“allergies”) [quite common] โข Rhinitis Medicamentosa โข Sore in the Nose (Furuncle) ** โข Perforated / Deviated Nasal Septum ** โข Foreign Body (young children) ** โข Sinusitis (not as common as people think)x x | xxxxxxRarer Conditions โข Nasal Polyps โข Adenoid Enlargement โข Auto-Immune Diseases โข Tumors ** Can see it in nose without ENT referral x |
“ENT” = Ear-Nose-Throat specialist (a.k.a. Otorhinolaryngolgist)
Symptoms Lasting Less Than 2 Weeks
** Common Cold is far & away the most likely diagnosis (no proven effective treatment available). We only diagnose another condition if fits a description below:
** Allergic Rhinitis (“allergies”) โ try Allergy Medications, helps with Diagnosis if symptoms resolve
- Very frequent recurrences (every few months); OR
- Similar symptoms in relatively-recent past that lasted a month or more; OR
- Lots of sneezing spells
** Rhinitis Medicamentosa โ see link for Treatment
- Using daily over-the-counter decongestant sprays for at least 1 week
- Began as a cold, got lots worse after 1 week
- Pressure on just one side of face (cheek or forehead), upper teeth on that side hurt when tapped; may have fever too
** Abnormalities Seen Right Inside Front of Nose:
** Foreign Body in Nose (Child under 5 yrs-old, lots of mucus in just one nostril)
Symptoms Going On Over 2 Weeks Without Improving at All
** Allergic Rhinitis (“allergies”) is the most likely diagnosis
- Especially likely if many sneezing spells, or frequent prior episodes
- Try Allergy Medications. If no help in 1 wk, consider other diagnosis:
** Nasal Polyps (if seen on exam [picture in link]): Try Allergy Medications for 2 weeks
- If no help, refer to ENT Specialist
** Chronic Sinusitis (if no benefit from Allergy Treatment)
- Antibiotics for 1 week; if getting better, continue treatment for 3-4 weeks total
- If antibiotics no help, get sinus CT scan &/or refer to ENT Specialist to diagnose the Rarer Conditions in Table (can be seen with special instrument for endoscopy)
See also Nasal Congestion — Full Text for more in-depth explanations and discussions.