{"id":1789,"date":"2026-06-13T09:02:46","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T09:02:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gesundheitundkompass.de\/?p=1789"},"modified":"2026-06-13T09:02:48","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T09:02:48","slug":"runny-nose-or-stuffy-nose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gesundheitundkompass.de\/en\/schnupfen-verstopfte-oder-laufende-nase\/","title":{"rendered":"Common cold, stuffy or runny nose"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyone knows that unpleasant feeling: it often starts with a slight tickle in the nose, followed by sneezing fits, and finally the inevitable result \u2013 a constantly runny or completely blocked nose. A cold (stuffy or runny nose) is one of the most common illnesses worldwide, affecting adults two to four times a year, and children up to ten times a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though a common cold is usually harmless, it significantly limits our quality of life for a few days. Breathing becomes difficult, your head pounds, your sense of taste disappears, and restful sleep is almost out of the question. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn everything about how to relieve acute rhinitis, which home remedies really help, and when a doctor's visit is advisable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When you have a cold, your body's immune system is fighting off a viral infection, usually rhinoviruses, that have entered your respiratory system. Here's a breakdown of what happens:\n\n1. **Infection:** The viruses enter your nasal passages and throat. They attach to the cells lining these areas and start to replicate.\n\n2. **Inflammation:** Your immune system recognizes the invaders and launches an inflammatory response. This means it sends immune cells (like white blood cells) to the affected areas.\n\n3. **Symptom Production:** The inflammation causes changes that lead to the familiar cold symptoms:\n * **Runny Nose (Rhinorrhea):** Blood vessels in your nasal lining swell and become more permeable, allowing fluid and mucus to leak out. This mucus helps trap and flush out the viruses.\n * **Stuffy Nose (Congestion):** The swelling of the nasal tissues, combined with increased mucus production, narrows the airways, making it difficult to breathe through your nose.\n * **Sore Throat:** The viruses infect cells in your throat, causing inflammation and irritation.\n * **Cough:** This can be caused by irritation in the throat or by mucus draining down the back of your throat (post-nasal drip) that irritates the airways.\n * **Sneezing:** This is a reflex action to expel irritants and viruses from your nasal passages.\n * **Fatigue and Body Aches:** Your immune system diverts energy to fight the infection, which can make you feel tired. Inflammatory chemicals released by your immune system can also contribute to body aches and a general feeling of being unwell.\n * **Fever (sometimes):** While less common with the common cold than with the flu, a slight fever can occur as your body tries to create an environment less favorable for viral replication.\n\n4. **Mucus Production:** Your body ramps up mucus production. This mucus is not just a nuisance; it's a key part of your defense. It contains immune cells and antibodies that can fight the viruses. The color of the mucus can change from clear to yellow or green as it traps dead virus particles, dead cells, and immune cells. This change in color doesn't necessarily mean you have a bacterial infection; it's often just a sign your immune system is working hard.\n\n5. **Recovery:** Over several days to a week or two, your immune system gradually gets the upper hand. It produces antibodies that target the specific viruses, and immune cells work to clear them out. As the inflammation subsides and the virus is eliminated, your symptoms start to improve.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Medically, the common cold is referred to as rhinitis. When viruses \u2013 most often rhinoviruses \u2013 enter the nasal cavity, our body defends itself. The nasal mucosa becomes more highly vascularized to transport defense cells to the site of infection. This increased blood flow causes the mucous membranes to swell. At the same time, more mucus is produced to effectively flush the intruders out of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially, this manifests as a heavily flowing, watery discharge (a runny nose). After a few days, the discharge often becomes thicker, and the mucous membranes swell further, resulting in the classic stuffy nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cold or hay fever?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Especially in spring and summer, but also year-round with house dust, the question of the true cause often arises. The difference between a cold and an allergy can be identified by a few indicators:<\/p>\n\n\n\n