What causes UTIs after sex? How can you prevent them? Discover the effective strategies to minimize the risk of urinary tract infections following intercourse.

Understanding the Link Between Sex and UTIs

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common consequence of sexual activity for many women. The reason lies in the anatomical differences between men and women. In women, the urethra – the tube through which urine exits the body – is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to enter and reach the bladder, where they can multiply and cause an infection.

The bacteria that typically cause UTIs reside around the anus. During sex, these bacteria can be shifted towards the front of the body, allowing them to travel up the urethra and into the bladder. This process is what leads to the development of a UTI in some women after intercourse.

Factors That Increase the Risk of Post-Sex UTIs

There are several factors that can contribute to a higher likelihood of developing a UTI after sex:

• Frequent Intercourse: Women who have sex more often are more prone to recurrent UTIs, a condition sometimes referred to as “honeymoon cystitis.”
• New Sexual Partners: Changing sexual partners can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in the genital area, increasing the risk of infections.
• Family History: Some women may be genetically predisposed to UTIs, making them more susceptible to developing the condition.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Conditions like diabetes or pelvic organ prolapse can also increase the risk of post-sex UTIs.
• Hormonal Changes: The decreased estrogen levels that occur during menopause can lead to increased dryness and a higher likelihood of UTIs.

Symptoms of a UTI After Sex

The symptoms of a UTI after sexual activity are typically the same as those of a UTI acquired through other means. They include:

• A strong, frequent urge to urinate
• Cloudy, red, or pink-tinged urine
• Pain or burning during urination
• Fever, chills, and back or pelvic pain

Strategies to Prevent UTIs After Intercourse

While you don’t have to give up sex to avoid UTIs, there are several steps you can take to minimize the risk of developing an infection:

1. Urinate Before and After Sex: Flushing your urinary tract can help remove any bacteria that may have entered during intercourse.
2. Clean the Genital Area: Gently clean the genital and anal areas before and after sex, wiping from front to back.
3. Stay Hydrated: Drink extra water, especially after sex, to help flush out your urinary tract.
4. Use a Lubricant: Friction during sex can irritate the urethra, so using a lubricant can help reduce this risk.
5. Consider Alternative Birth Control: Avoid using a diaphragm or spermicide, as these can introduce bacteria into the area.
6. Supplement with Cranberry, Probiotics, or D-Mannose: These natural remedies may help create an unfavorable environment for bacteria growth.
7. Discuss Antibiotic Prophylaxis with Your Doctor: In some cases, a short course of antibiotics after sex may be recommended to prevent a UTI.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you develop the symptoms of a UTI after sex, it’s important to seek medical attention. Your doctor can diagnose the infection and prescribe the appropriate antibiotic treatment. In some cases, they may also recommend additional steps to prevent recurrent UTIs.

Differentiating Between UTIs and Other Conditions

It’s important to note that while UTIs are a common consequence of sexual activity, they are not the only possible outcome. Other conditions, such as interstitial cystitis, can sometimes be mistaken for a UTI. If you experience persistent or recurring bladder issues, it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Key Takeaways

Urinary tract infections can be a frustrating consequence of sexual activity for many women, but there are steps you can take to minimize the risk. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies, you can take proactive measures to maintain a healthy urinary tract and enjoy a fulfilling sex life.

Causes and How to Prevent Them

One common way women get urinary tract infections is by having sex. But that doesn’t mean you have to banish sex from your life to prevent painful infections.

By Meryl Davids LandauMedically Reviewed by Kacy Church, MD

Reviewed: February 20, 2020

Medically Reviewed

What you do before and after sex is more important than what you do during it when it comes to UTIs.Mosuno/Stocksy

Pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) aren’t the only consequences of having sex. For some women, a urinary tract infection (UTI) can also be a result.

Blame it on anatomy, which makes a UTI (also called a bladder infection) more likely for women than for men, says Sujata Yavagal, MD, a urogynecologist at Baptist Health South Florida in Miami.

Still, it isn’t inevitable that having sex will cause a UTI. Taking proper precautions can minimize your odds.

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What May Cause a UTI After Sex?

The urethra is the tube through which urine exits the body from the bladder. In women, this tube is short, making it quicker and easier for bacteria to enter the opening and infiltrate the bladder.

The bacteria that cause a UTI live in the area around the anus, Dr. Yavagal says. Sex can shift bacteria toward the front. From there, it’s just a short hop up the urethra into the bladder, where it can multiply and cause a UTI.

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What Are the Symptoms of a UTI?

Not surprisingly, some of the symptoms of a UTI involve the frequency and quality of pee. Women suffering from a UTI, whether they get the infection from sex or other ways, can have a strong urge to urinate, have cloudy or red or pink urine, and may experience pain or burning during urination.

You might also get fever, shaking, or chills, and even pain in your upper back, your side, or the pelvic region.

Why Are Some People Prone to Getting a UTI Every Time They Have Sex?

You probably don’t get a UTI every time you have sex. But it can feel that way if you come down with UTIs often.

Sex definitely can trigger the condition. In fact, urinary tract infections have been nicknamed “honeymoon cystitis” — cystitis is another name for an infection of the bladder — because frequent intercourse can lead to the development of a UTI.

Other reasons you might get recurrent UTIs are: having a new partner, having a family history of them, living with diabetes or pelvic organ prolapse, transitioning to menopause (the increased dryness that results when estrogen levels drop can increase your odds), or having difficulty fully emptying your bladder, Yavagal says.

Men get UTIs, but much less frequently than women.

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How to Prevent UTIs When You’re Sexually Active

You don’t have to stop having sex to prevent UTIs. Here are some steps you can take to minimize bacteria buildup and reduce your risk of getting UTIs from sex.

• Urinate before sex and promptly after. This will flush your system and keep bacteria that has entered your urinary tract from gaining a foothold.
• Clean your genital and anal areas (wiping front to back only) before and after sex.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, then have an extra glass after intercourse. This will help rid your urinary tract of unwanted bacteria.
• Use a vaginal lubricant. Friction during sex can irritate the urethra.
• Consider a new form of birth control. If you’re prone to UTIs, you may want to avoid using a diaphragm or spermicide as your form of pregnancy prevention. These can introduce bacteria into the area and can kill off healthy bacteria that keep the problem germs in check.

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Other Ways to Minimize Your Chances of Getting a UTI

Yavagal also recommends these steps to her patients who are prone to the condition.

• Don’t use douches, sprays, or powders in the genital area. “There are protective bacteria in the vagina that we don’t want to wash away,” she says.
• Clean your anus well after having a bowel movement. Use a separate sheet of toilet paper (or even a wet wipe) to clean the front and the back.
• Consider drugstore supplements. Yavagal especially likes concentrated cranberry pills, which are thought to create an acidic environment that minimizes the colonization of the wrong bacteria; probiotics; and d-mannose, which tiny pilot studies have linked to improvements in UTIs.
• Talk to your doctor about whether you need a prescription for antibiotics after you have sex.

How Are UTIs Treated?

Your doctor will typically prescribe an oral antibiotic to rid you of the UTI.

Yavagal says if you come down with a UTI frequently, ask your doctor to do a culture one time to be sure this is actually what you have. A chronic bladder condition known as interstitial cystitis (IC) is sometimes mistaken for a UTI, she says. You should be especially suspicious if the antibiotics you have taken for your UTIs in the past have not sufficiently helped.

Can You Have Sex if You Have a UTI?

In general, it is recommended that you avoid having intercourse when you have an active urinary tract infection. When you get an antibiotic prescription, ask your doctor when the right time to resume sexual activity would be. Of course, you can still kiss and have other intimate and emotional connections.

Once you have completed a course of antibiotics and the UTI has cleared away, you should be able to resume sexual activity. But be sure to take the careful steps necessary to prevent the sex from putting you on the road to yet another one.

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What Is Interstitial Cystitis? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Signs and Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis causes mild symptoms in some people and terrible pain and disruption in others. For some, symptoms come and go, while in others they’re present all the time.

Symptoms of IC may go away for a while, only to return months or even years later.

Changes in the bladder caused by interstitial cystitis may have the following symptoms:

Pain Interstitial cystitis can cause sensations of pressure, discomfort, or pain in or around the bladder. The pain may be mild or severe and may also affect the vaginal, urethral, or scrotal areas.

Pain in IC often gets worse as the bladder fills up and is relieved with urination.

Frequent Urination Because the bladder becomes stiff and loses elasticity, people with interstitial cystitis often have the urge to urinate frequently both day and night.

Urinating fewer than eight times during the day and no more than once at night is considered normal. In severe cases of IC, a person may need to urinate up to 60 times per day.

Urgency In people with interstitial cystitis, the need to urinate can be intense and hard to control. In some people, this sensation never goes away, even right after urination.

While certain other disorders that affect the bladder can cause urine leakage, IC typically does not. In fact, leakage can be a clue that you have a different condition.

Sexual Dysfunction Many people with interstitial cystitis experience pain during sexual intercourse. In men, this may include pain after ejaculation.

Nocturia This term denotes the need to urinate multiple times during the night. If it causes nocturia, IC can lead to significant sleep disruption. (1,2)

Causes and Risk Factors of Interstitial Cystitis

Doctors don’t know the exact cause of interstitial cystitis, but many researchers believe that it is initially triggered by damage to the bladder lining. (2)

In a 2017 study, researchers found that many people with IC produce a protein, called antiproliferative factor, that makes the bladder sensitive to urine. (3)

This protein prevents the growth of bladder cells, so it may prevent the bladder from healing itself when damage occurs. (2)

Many researchers believe that IC may develop for a number of different reasons, such as the following:

Damage to the Bladder Surgery or other types of trauma may damage the bladder, contributing to this condition.

Bladder Distention The inability to empty your bladder for long periods of time has been associated with interstitial cystitis.

Nerve Damage Spinal cord trauma and inflammation of the pelvic nerves have been suspected as causes.

Bacterial Infection A bladder infection, or cystitis, may contribute to the onset of IC in some people.

Muscle Dysfunction When the pelvic floor muscles aren’t working right, they may contribute to bladder problems.

Autoimmune Disorder Some researchers suspect that the body’s own immune system may attack certain bladder cells in some people with IC. (1,2)

In recent years, the relationship between interstitial cystitis and forms of abuse — including physical and sexual abuse — has been widely discussed. Different studies have come to vastly different conclusions about whether any relationship exists between IC and abuse. (2)

How Is Interstitial Cystitis Diagnosed?

Diagnosing interstitial cystitis typically isn’t a simple process. There isn’t any single medical test that can definitively diagnose IC, or rule it out.

To diagnose IC, your doctor will consider your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical and neurological exam. Your doctor may also give you a questionnaire about bladder or pelvic pain.

Your doctor may also order or administer other tests to help diagnose IC, or to rule out other health conditions. These tests may include:

Urine Tests Simple tests of a urine sample can rule out other conditions by detecting signs of an active infection or blood in your urine.

Ultrasound of Bladder This noninvasive test allows doctors to see the shape and structure of your bladder, as well as how well you empty it after urination.

Urodynamic Evaluation This test involves filling your bladder with water through a catheter (narrow tube) to measure pressure as it fills and empties.

Cystoscopy This procedure involves inserting a specialized viewing instrument into your bladder to look for ulcers or lesions caused by IC, or other problems, such as a tumor. (1)

Prognosis of Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis may come and go on its own, even for extended periods of time. But in some people, meaningful relief from symptoms will occur only with treatment.

Symptom relief may not occur right away with treatment, and it may take several attempts to find a treatment strategy that works for you. But most people with IC eventually achieve significant relief and can live a normal life. (1,2)

Treatment and Medication Options for Interstitial Cystitis

There isn’t any single treatment that works for everyone with interstitial cystitis. Your doctor will recommend treatments on the basis of your symptoms and whether previous treatments have failed to control them. (1)

The American Urological Association recommends starting with more conservative therapies in most cases (e.g. when ulcers or lesions are not present), before gradually moving to more invasive treatments when “other treatments have not provided adequate symptom control and quality of life improvement. ” (4)

Treatment strategies for IC typically follow this series of phases.

Phase 1: Lifestyle measures and physical therapy. The first step in treating IC is to identify things that trigger your symptoms, such as stress or certain foods and beverages. Your doctor may also recommend that you see a pelvic floor physical therapist, who can manipulate muscles in the area or prescribe exercises to help with symptoms.

Phase 2: Medications. Your doctor may prescribe a number of drugs to treat IC symptoms. Some of these medications are taken by mouth, while others are applied directly to the bladder through a catheter (narrow tube).

Phase 3: Neuromodulation, ulcer cauterization, and Botox. Neuromodulation involves delivering electrical impulses to nerves to change how they work. Cauterizing bladder ulcers (known as Hunner’s ulcers or Hunner’s lesions) can offer long-term pain relief, and botulinum toxin (Botox) injections into the bladder muscle may help reduce IC pain when other treatments don’t.

Phase 4: Cyclosporine. The immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine (Neoral) carries many risks, but it may help when other treatments for IC are ineffective.

Phase 5: Surgery. As a last resort, surgery to divert the flow of urine or remove the bladder may be considered. (1,2)

Medication Options

At first, your doctor may recommend that you take over-the-counter pain relief medications for interstitial cystitis. If additional drug treatments are needed, your doctor may recommend the following oral drugs (taken by mouth):

• amitriptyline (Elavil)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
• pentosan polysulfate (Elmiron)

Your doctor may also consider administering the following drugs by injection to your bladder:

• dimethyl sulfoxide (Rimso-50)
• heparin
• lidocaine

As an alternative to cauterization, your doctor may decide to inject the steroid drug triamcinolone at the site of a bladder ulcer.

Botox is a drug that paralyzes muscles when injected into them, and may be considered as a bladder treatment for IC when prior treatments are no longer adequate.

Cyclosporine, the last drug that is typically considered for IC, is an oral drug that suppresses the immune system. While it may provide symptom relief, it carries significant risks, including a generally higher risk of infection. (1,4)

Prevention of Interstitial Cystitis

Since the causes of interstitial cystitis are unclear, and the condition may have multiple causes, there aren’t any specific steps you can take to avoid IC in the first place.

But once you have IC, there are a number of lifestyle measures that may help reduce your symptoms.

Avoiding foods that cause bladder irritation may help relieve symptoms of interstitial cystitis.

Common bladder-irritating foods include:

• Tomatoes
• Citrus fruits
• Spicy foods
• Chocolate
• Coffee and caffeinated beverages
• Alcoholic beverages
• Carbonated beverages

Since so many foods can contribute to symptoms of interstitial cystitis, you may benefit from an elimination diet, in which you stop eating all potential irritant foods for one to two weeks. If your symptoms improve, you can then gradually reintroduce eliminated foods to see if they trigger any symptoms.

Emotional or mental stress can contribute to IC symptoms, so it’s important to identify potential sources of stress in your life and avoid or cope with them to the best of your ability. (1)

Resources We Love

The following organizations and websites offer information and support on interstitial cystitis and related health conditions.

Interstitial Cystitis Association

This nonprofit group is the only charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with interstitial cystitis. Its website provides information on countless aspects of IC, online support groups and forums, virtual education resources, and tips for how to get involved in research or advocacy.

Urology Care Foundation

This website from the American Urological Association provides information on various health conditions, including IC, as well as an overview of the organization’s research efforts and tips for general urological health.

American Chronic Pain Association

This organization’s website provides an overview of different health conditions that can cause chronic pain, as well as online support groups for people with chronic pain and resources for dealing with pain.

International Pelvic Pain Society

This group aims to support people living with conditions that cause pelvic pain, and advocates for greater awareness and “interdisciplinary approaches” to evaluating and treating these conditions. Its website has information on meetings and membership, the group’s annual convention, and fundraising events (all of which follow a virtual format this year).

Bladder and Bowel Community

This website has articles on a wide range of topics related to bladder and bowel dysfunction, including helpful forms of exercise, mental health concerns, and problems that could be causing bladder symptoms.

Additional reporting by Chris Iliades, MD.

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Self-care: Self-care: Lenta.ru

They say that if you treat a runny nose, it will pass in a week, and if not treated, then in seven days. This myth is refuted by doctors and scientists: in fact, if nothing is done about rhinitis, it can lead to serious complications or become chronic. About how to quickly get rid of a runny nose, how to prevent it and what to do if it does not go away for a long time – in the material “Lenta.ru”.

What is a runny nose and why is it important to treat it in a timely manner?

Runny nose (rhinitis) is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa, due to which blood stagnates in the vessels and part of the plasma escapes through the vascular walls into the surrounding tissues.

In most cases, the appearance of a runny nose is associated with hypothermia or exposure to infections, allergens and dust. Sometimes rhinitis can be associated with the presence of a foreign body in the nasal cavity, the occurrence of polyps, as well as with a tumor of the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses.

Photo: RossHelen / Shutterstock / Fotodom

The most common symptoms of a runny nose in children and adults are:

• green or yellow discharge from the nose;
• difficulty in nasal breathing;
• feeling of dryness in the nasopharynx;
• itching and burning in the nose;
• frequent sneezing and watery eyes;
• partial or total loss of smell;
• headache.

There are two types of runny nose:

acute – may be an independent disease or indicate the presence of another acute infectious disease, such as influenza or measles. Acute coryza symptoms usually last two to three days and then subside;

chronic – a long-term sluggish inflammatory process, in which the symptoms of the disease appear and disappear. In most cases, it occurs due to improper treatment of the common cold.

The nasal mucosa is the main barrier that protects the human body from the harmful effects of the external environment. Damage to this barrier leads to changes throughout the body and can be the beginning of acute or chronic inflammatory, as well as allergic diseases of the respiratory system

Gleb Simonov Otorhinolaryngologist

That is why it is so important to treat a runny nose in time – ignoring the symptoms of the disease sometimes leads to serious complications. Inflammation of the nasal mucosa can spread to the paranasal sinuses, and infected mucus can enter the auditory tubes or go down into the throat, larynx, and lower respiratory tract.

Photo: Maridav / Shutterstock / Fotodom

“Especial attention should be paid to the common cold in newborns and infants. In the first place, they may not have a violation of nasal breathing, but general symptoms, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbances, increased intracranial pressure, and symptoms of irritation of the meninges. Breathing through the mouth during feeding is accompanied by a violation of the act of sucking and swallowing air, ”explains Gleb Simonov, otorhinolaryngologist of the Semeynaya clinic network.

Timely treatment of the common cold prevents the development of diseases such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, tracheitis and otitis

Causes of rhinitis:

• exposure to the body of viral, bacterial, fungal or mixed infections;
• trauma of the nasal mucosa, in response to which acute inflammation occurs;
• exposure to the body of aggressive agents: dust, smoke, chemicals in the form of aerosols or vapors;
• hormonal changes during pregnancy or puberty, as well as medications such as hormone replacement therapy and birth control pills;
• reaction to external stimuli – alcohol, spicy food, anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen;
• overuse of decongestant nasal sprays.

In addition, there is such a thing as vasomotor rhinitis. It occurs as a result of a malfunction of the blood vessels. By itself, vasomotor rhinitis is not considered dangerous, but if left untreated, it can lead to the development of chronic sinusitis.

Photo: Antonina Kuznetsova / Shutterstock / Fotodom

Quick ways to relieve a runny nose and snot, dead cells and pathogens infections, clears the nasal passages and moisturizes the mucous membranes. You can buy a seawater-based solution at a pharmacy or make your own by adding two teaspoons of salt to a liter of water.

2. The use of vasoconstrictor (vasoconstrictor) drugs for the common cold

Edema and nasal congestion occur due to vasodilation. Vasoconstrictor drops in the nose help narrow blood vessels, relieve swelling and make breathing easier.

Vasoconstrictors do not cure a runny nose, but help to temporarily reduce the amount of discharge and improve breathing. The use of vasoconstrictor drugs for more than three to five days can cause addiction and dependence on the drops. The use of vasoconstrictors in children or in patients with glaucoma and hypertension is not recommended due to side effects

Gleb Simonov Otorhinolaryngologist

3. Hydration and air humidification

Low air humidity leads to dryness in the sinuses – this increases the risk of inflammation, runny nose and nasal congestion, and also leads to frequent bleeding. A humidifier will help alleviate the condition and reduce the level of inflammation inside the nose and sinuses.

4. Rest and sleep

The main condition for the development of a runny nose is the weakening of the body’s defenses, so strengthening the immune system is one of the main factors contributing to recovery, says otorhinolaryngologist Gleb Simonov. Normalization of the daily regimen, hardening of the body, rest, avoidance of chronic stressful situations, smoking cessation, as well as a balanced diet rich in vitamins can help with this.

Home remedies for a runny nose

• warm drinks – to thin the mucous discharge from the nose, you need to drink more liquid. Hot tea with medicinal herbs, such as chamomile and mint, will help reduce swelling of the mucous membrane and facilitate nasal breathing;
• natural oils – to relieve the symptoms of a runny nose, you can put a small amount of coconut, sesame or almond oil on a swab and lubricate the inside of the nose;
• warm, moist air will help relieve dry nose. You can take a hot shower or just sit in the bathroom with the door closed and the shower turned on. Before doing inhalations with essential oils, it is better to consult a specialist, as individual intolerances and burns of the nasal mucosa are possible.

Prevention of the common cold

Firstly, the common cold develops when the immune system is weakened, so to prevent it, it is necessary to support the body’s defenses.

Photo: Estrada Anton / Shutterstock / Fotodom

How to strengthen the immune system:

• sleep hygiene: go to bed and wake up at the same time, put away all gadgets an hour before bedtime, sleep in a dark, cool room seven to nine hours a day;
• give up alcohol and smoking;
• reduce stress or learn to control its level through breathing practices and meditation;
• eat a balanced and varied diet rich in vitamins and trace elements;
• lead an active lifestyle, exercise regularly;
• practice good hygiene: wash hands after returning from the street, going to the toilet, coughing and sneezing.

Second, avoid contact with allergens such as house dust mites, mold, smoke or smog, pollen, pet dander.

Distinguishing allergic rhinitis from rhinitis that occurs due to the action of any irritant (dust, chemical, foreign body, anatomical defect of the nose) is quite difficult. It is necessary to take into account the patient’s allergic history, the result of skin tests for the presence of allergens, the level of general and specific IqE in the blood serum, as well as the results of cytological examination of the nasal mucosa

Gleb Simonov Otorhinolaryngologist

Thirdly, you need to observe hygiene and regularly ventilate the premises – this way the house will not create a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria and viruses. It is better to wash bedding once a week, vacuum the mattress once a month, but going to bed sweaty, dirty or with makeup on your face is highly discouraged, just like eating right in bed. All this contributes to the reproduction of dust mites.

When to see a doctor

You can often deal with a runny nose on your own, but there are cases in which it is worth contacting a specialist. For example, nasal congestion after an injury and yellow or green snot that stand out for more than a week.

Another reason to go to the doctor is toothache associated with a runny nose. The roots of the upper teeth are located near the sinuses, and infection resulting from dental treatment or trauma can spread into the sinuses and cause purulent inflammation. Such cases require treatment by an ENT and a dentist at the same time.

If a runny nose persists for more than seven to ten days, the color of the discharge changes and other complaints appear – for example, facial pain and headache, severe nasal congestion, increasing general malaise – or inflammation is more pronounced on one side, then immediately see a doctor

Gleb Simonov otorhinolaryngologist

Sometimes a common cold can hide serious illnesses that require specialist advice, the otorhinolaryngologist emphasized. Timely treatment of acute rhinitis significantly reduces the risk of the disease becoming chronic. If you do not start therapy for the common cold on time, tonsillitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, or other infectious diseases may develop.

Is it possible to cure a runny nose quickly? 7 tips from an otorhinolaryngologist

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August 18, 2021

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A runny nose seems to be a frivolous problem, at the same time it significantly affects the general well-being and reduces personal efficiency.

Be prepared to go through all stages

Runny nose is one of the manifestations of a viral disease that has a certain staging (autochthonism). When you become infected, the body must go through all the stages of inflammation, the last of which is recovery. It is rightly said: “If you treat a runny nose, then it will pass within seven days, and if not treated, then in a week.” Therefore, there are no remedies that allow you to quickly get rid of or “cure” from the common cold. Moreover, a runny nose does not always occur with viral infections. It is also observed in allergic rhinitis or sinusitis, therefore, if your runny nose has a longer duration, I recommend not to leave it unattended and consult a doctor.

Use proven products

Traditional medicine, which was once almost the basis for doctors of various specialties, is becoming a thing of the past. Scientific research allows us to evaluate the true effects of certain drugs for the treatment of various pathologies. So, for example, it was found that the use of garlic may have a beneficial effect in the prevention of colds, but there is little scientific evidence for this. Therefore, I urge you to be wary of folk remedies, since most of them have not been tested by scientific research or it has been proven that they are not effective.

What folk remedies help with a cold

If you still want to use proven methods of traditional medicine, then you should pay attention to those remedies that have little effectiveness. For example, drinking a large amount of liquid allows you to effectively thin out the mucus that is produced in large quantities during a cold. Drink hot tea, it will help alleviate the symptoms of a cold due to high temperature vapors. Add natural decongestants to it (drugs that relieve swelling of the mucous membrane): mint, menthol and chamomile. These medicinal plants will help ease nasal breathing. It used to be thought that topical warming (hot showers or inhaling hot vapors) could be effective in reducing nasal congestion and runny noses, but modern scientific evidence has shown little effectiveness for this practice.

Salt is the best remedy for colds

Saline solutions are one of the oldest remedies used by mankind to combat the common cold. The first mention of this method of treatment dates back to the 3rd century BC, when the Hindu tribes developed special teapots for the nose, in which sea water was added. Salt solutions have a number of useful properties and help reduce swelling, as well as facilitate the discharge of mucus. A decrease in the amount of secretions occurs due to an increase in the protective properties of the mucous membrane and its ability to self-clean. Saline solutions can be used from a very early age, they are available in the form of sprays or special bottles for washing.

Be careful with vasoconstrictor sprays and drops

This class of drugs is not particularly effective in reducing mucosal edema and only helps to temporarily reduce the amount of discharge. You should follow the basic rules and restrictions in their use. According to current scientific data, vasoconstrictors can be used for about 3-5 days, but longer use can be addictive. This is literally dependence on drops – a serious problem in modern ENT practice. Moreover, their use is not recommended in pediatric practice or in patients with ocular (glaucoma) or cardiovascular pathologies (hypertension) due to undesirable side effects.

What is better not to treat a runny nose?

Of course, in addition to the drugs described above, other drugs can be recommended. These include antihistamines and topical antibacterials, colloidal silver sprays, and mucus-thinning medications. However, scientists talk about the weak effectiveness of these classes of drugs in the treatment of colds. For example: a review study showed that antihistamines have little effect on the symptoms of SARS on the first and second days of treatment, but do not affect the runny nose or nasal congestion. Therefore, it is better to check with the doctor for what purpose antihistamines are prescribed. And, if for the treatment of a cold, then it is better not to use them.

If a runny nose does not go away – go to the doctor

As already mentioned, the most common cause of a runny nose is SARS and other colds. But not only they can cause a runny nose. The list of reasons is quite large, the most important thing to understand is that a cold runny nose does not last more than seven to ten days. If a runny nose is observed for more than ten days, the color of the discharge changes and other complaints appear (pain in the face, severe nasal congestion, headache) or inflammation occurs on one side, you should consult a doctor. Sometimes a banal runny nose can hide serious diseases that require specialist advice.

Pediatric otolaryngologist
Otorhinolaryngologist / ENT
Surgeon

Source RBC Style

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