Nasal discharge

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Runny and stuffy nose

Throat anatomy

Runny nose; Postnasal drip; Rhinorrhea

Keep the mucous thin rather than thick and sticky. This helps prevent complications, such as ear and sinus infections, and plugging of your nasal passages. To thin the mucous:

• Drink extra fluids.
• Increase the humidity in the air with a vaporizer or humidifier.
• Use saline nasal sprays.

Antihistamines may reduce the amount of mucous. Be careful, because some antihistamines may make you drowsy. Don't use over-the-counter nasal sprays more often than 3 days on and 3 days off, unless told to by your doctor.

OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS

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Many people think that a green or yellow nasal discharge means a bacterial infection, which requires antibiotics. This is NOT true. Colds will often begin with a clear nasal discharge, but after several days it usually turns creamy yellow or green. Colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics will not help. A green or yellow nasal discharge is not a sign that you need antibiotics.

• Drainage is foul smelling, one-sided, or a color other than white or yellow
• Nasal discharge follows a head injury
• Symptoms last more than 3 weeks
• Syptoms last more than 10 days in a child under 3 years old
• There is fever with nasal discharge

Your doctor may perform a physical examination, including an examination of the ears, nose, and throat.

Your doctor may ask medical history questions, such as:

• Is the discharge thin and watery, or is it thick?
• Is it bloody?
• What color is it?
• How long has the nasal discharge been present?
• Is it present all the time?
• What other symptoms are also present?
• Is your nose stuffy or congested?
• Do you have a cough or headache?
• Do you have a sore throat?
• Do you have a fever?

Tests that may be performed include:

• CT scan of the head
• X-rays of the skull and sinuses

For allergic rhinitis, the health care provider may prescribe antihistamines. Antibiotics should only be prescribed for bacterial infections.

Review Date: 08/02/2009
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).