General Medical Information

Infectious Rhinitis

Shawn D. Newlands

Acute rhinitis usually is caused by a viral infection, a so-called upper respiratory tract infection. A larger number of viruses have been implicated, including rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, influenza virus, and adenoviruses. These infections cause nasal obstruction, clear rhinorrhea, fever, and sneezing. The edema caused by the infection can obstruct the ostia to the sinuses, leading to facial pain. The obstructed sinuses often become superinfected with bacteria, and bacterial rhinosinusitis results. Although it is a self-limiting disease, the common cold is the source of considerable societal expense because of lost wages and the cost of treatment.