DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for Runny nose

Why: to determine if acute or chronic.

Why: Unilateral runny nose, especially if pus-like (thick and yellow) suggests acute sinusitis, Wegener's granulomatosis, nose tumor, foreign body and syphilis. Unilateral clear or mucous-like runny nose could be chronic sinusitis. An acute bilateral runny nose suggests upper respiratory tract infection such as the common cold or influenza. A chronic bilateral clear or mucous-like runny nose suggests allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis or vasomotor sinusitis.

Why: e.g. pus-like discharge suggests acute sinusitis, chronic bacterial sinusitis, Wegener's granulomatosis, nasal tumor, foreign body or syphilis. If the discharge is mucous-like or clear may suggest allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, vasomotor rhinitis, cluster headache, migraine or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid after trauma. If it is a blood-stained discharge must consider nasopharyngeal cancer.

Why: may indicate leakage of cerebrospinal fluid through the nose after trauma.

Why: e.g. allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, Wegener's granulomatosis.

Why: some medications may induce rhinitis (inflammation of the lining of the nasal cavity) including aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, phenothiazines, oral contraceptives; Rhinitis medicamentosa is inflammation of the nasal passages following overuse of over the counter decongestant nasal drops or sprays.

Why: allergic rhinitis or sinusitis may be caused by allergies to tree pollen, grasses, moulds, house dust mite, cat fur, bird feathers or some foods.

Why: e.g. cocaine and marijuana may induce rhinitis; heroin and methadone withdrawal may cause a runny nose.

Why: e.g. smoke and other noxious fumes, paints and sprays and cosmetics may induce rhinitis.

Why: e.g. leprosy is found primarily in Asia or Africa.

Why: If associated with runny nose, consider acute sinusitis, acute viral upper respiratory tract infection or Wegener's granulomatosis.

Why: suggests allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

Why: suggests acute sinusitis, cluster headache, migraine or nasopharyngeal cancer.

Why: e.g. tiredness, sore runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, slight fever; sometimes headache, hoarseness and cough.

Why: e.g. fever, chills, headache, generalized muscle aches and pains followed by sore throat, dry cough and runny nose.

Why: e.g. sneezing; nasal obstruction and congestion; watery nasal discharge; reduced sense of smell; itchy nose, throat and eyes.

Why: e.g. facial pain and tenderness, toothache, post-nasal drip, nasal obstruction, runny nose, cough, fever, bleeding nose Symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer? - e.g. facial pain, bloody nasal discharge, cranial nerve palsies.

Why: e.g. paroxysmal clusters of severe pain over one side of the eye and head which typically occur nightly, usually 2-3 hours after falling asleep. They occur from 1-3 times a day at regular times like clockwork, last for 15 minutes to 2-3 hours and the clusters last 4-6 weeks. Associated with runny or stuffy nose, runny eye, flushing of forehead and cheek, redness of the eye, vomiting and sometimes droopy eyelid on the same side as the pain.

Why: e.g. fever, malaise, aching muscles, weight loss, cough, shortness of breath, pus-like nasal discharge, bleeding nose, sinus facial pain and aching joints.

Why: e.g. pale skin patches on the face, buttocks, arms and legs; nasal stuffiness, hoarseness of the voice, thinning of the outer part of the eyebrows. May have perforation of the nasal septum with collapse of the cartilage to produce a "saddle nose deformity". With progression of the disease, the typical "lion face" may result due to infiltration of the skin. Leprosy is found primarily in Asia and Africa.