Published
"itis" refers to infection. Rhinorrhea can occur with, or without, an infection being present. The simplest explanation is environmental allergies, but who knows what could be the cause? I say get it checked if it bothers you.
BTW, if the discharge turns green that is usually a sign of infection.
Here's the easiest thing to do...look up in med dictionary or go online to a med dictionary. I've got a link below, hope this helps:)
1)Rhinitis: Irritation of the nose. Derived from the Greek word rhinos meaning of the nose.
2)Rhinorrhea: Medical term for a runny nose. From the Greek words "rhinos" meaning "of the nose" and "rhoia" meaning "a flowing."
http://www.execulink.com/~ekimmel/diction.htm
The site has a bunch of info on rhinitis, too much to write here. Usually, thick, purulent drainage would indicate some infection or really bad allergies. Hope this helps:)
Wheaties
159 Posts
Is Rhinitis the same thing as rhinorrhea?
if you want, can you provide some symptoms associated with yellow purulent rhinorrea?