Does COVID-19 cause a runny nose?

Generally speaking, novel coronavirus pneumonia refers to pneumonia caused by infection with the novel coronavirus. Whether pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus infection will result in a runny nose depends on the specific circumstances. If the novel coronavirus invades the respiratory tract, symptoms such as a runny nose may occur. However, if the virus invades the lungs, the digestive system, or other areas, a runny nose may not occur. Detailed analysis is as follows:

In the early stages of novel coronavirus infection, the virus may initially affect the upper respiratory tract and cause symptoms similar to the common cold, including a runny nose and sneezing. This is due to the mucosal inflammatory response caused by viral infection. At this time, patients may also experience other symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, such as fever, dry cough, fatigue, nasal congestion, sore throat, and sneezing.

When the novel coronavirus infects the lungs and causes pneumonia, typical symptoms mainly include high fever, general weakness, and easy fatigue. More severe cases may also experience shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Additionally, some patients may exhibit digestive system symptoms such as decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In such cases, a runny nose typically does not occur.

In daily life, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene habits and wear a mask when going out to reduce the risk of infection.