SYMPTOMS

What is purulent nasal discharge?

Normal nasal mucosal ciliary function plays an important role in cleaning the nasal cavity and sinuses and preventing chronic inflammation. Inflammatory cell infiltration leads to mucosal congestion, edema, and increased secretions, which can then cause purulent nasal discharge^[1]. Clinically, it usually refers to yellow, yellow-green, or green nasal mucus, and more broadly may also include cloudy white nasal discharge.

What are the main manifestations of purulent nasal discharge?

As the name suggests, the nasal discharge is visibly yellow or yellow-green in color and may be accompanied by symptoms corresponding to a cold or sinusitis, such as nasal congestion, fever, cough, headache, sore throat, general discomfort, etc.

TREATMENT

How to relieve purulent nasal discharge?

For patients with chronic sinusitis, saline solution or saline nasal sprays can be used for relief.

For patients with allergic rhinitis, avoid triggers as much as possible, such as quitting smoking and avoiding allergens^[2].

It should be noted that if the above measures do not effectively alleviate symptoms, or if symptoms worsen (e.g., headaches), seek medical attention promptly for further diagnosis and treatment.

How to prevent purulent nasal discharge?

Maintain a balanced diet and sleep schedule, exercise moderately, avoid smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke, minimize visits to crowded public places during peak disease seasons, and wash hands frequently.

Children should receive vaccinations to prevent diseases, and adults should get annual flu vaccines.

If you have allergies, observe patterns and avoid suspected allergens.

DIAGNOSIS

Which department should I visit for purulent nasal discharge?

Respiratory Medicine or ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Department. Pediatric patients may visit Pediatrics.

When should I seek medical attention for purulent nasal discharge?

Seek prompt medical care if purulent nasal discharge is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Persistent bloody nasal discharge (blood in nasal mucus).
• Foreign object entering the nasal cavity.
• Accompanied by facial swelling or pressure sensation^[2].
• Accompanied by shoulder/neck muscle pain or tenderness^[1].
• Or if headaches occur.

POTENTIAL DISEASES

What causes purulent nasal discharge?

It commonly occurs during the recovery phase of acute upper respiratory infections caused by viruses or secondary bacterial infections following a cold. Additionally, bacterial sinusitis can also lead to purulent nasal discharge.

After infections caused by viruses or bacteria, polymorphonuclear cells (which have phagocytic functions to eliminate pathogens) on the nasal mucosa significantly increase and accumulate in nasal mucus, resulting in cloudy white, yellow, yellow-green, or white-green nasal discharge.

The color of nasal mucus is related to the increase in polymorphonuclear cells. Both viral and bacterial infections can cause this increase. Yellow discharge does not specifically indicate bacterial infection; viral infections are more commonly responsible. When polymorphonuclear cells are present, the mucus appears yellow or white. If the enzymes in polymorphonuclear cells are active, the mucus turns green.

Who is most likely to experience purulent nasal discharge?

People of all ages can develop symptoms of "purulent nasal discharge," most commonly due to the common cold.

For bacterial sinusitis, children typically experience it between the ages of 4 and 7.

In adults, it often occurs in those with the following conditions: older age, smoking, frequent air travel, deep-sea diving, swimming, allergies, dental issues, immune deficiencies, or improper nose-blowing techniques.

What is the prognosis for purulent nasal discharge?

Most common cold patients recover on their own. The natural course of the illness is about 2 weeks for children under 6 years old and 5–7 days for those over 6. A small number of patients may develop complications such as acute otitis media, acute bacterial sinusitis, asthma attacks, or lower respiratory tract diseases.

Bacterial sinusitis may resolve on its own, become chronic, or lead to complications such as lower respiratory tract infections or infections of surrounding tissues, including sinobronchitis, otitis media, or orbital or central nervous system infections.