Rhinitis

Rhinitis is inflammation of the lining of the nose ('-itis' means inflammation, the Greek for nose is 'rhino'). Inflammation of the mucous lining of the nose causes it to swell and increase the production of mucous, so the nose runs and feels blocked. There are a number of causes:

The common cold is caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (which runs from the nostrils to the larynx, or voice-box). This causes swelling and irritation of all the membrane lining the tract - the nose to cause sneezing, the throat to cause pain, the sinuses to cause headache - as well as mild fever. There are lots of respiratory viruses that produce similar symptoms. There is no cure, but many agents can help relieve symptoms, and others that may reduce our chances of catching the infection in the first place.
 
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