# Runny Nose: Causes, Long-Lasting Congestion and When to See a Doctor > A runny nose is usually viral and clears up in 1 to 2 weeks, but it can also be allergic, bacterial or long-lasting. Here is how to tell them apart and which doctor to see in Georgia. ## When to see a doctor urgently - Runny nose with a high fever lasting more than 3 days - Runny nose has gone on for more than 10 days without improving - Pus-like, green or bloody discharge, especially from one nostril only - Severe pain and heaviness in the forehead, cheeks or around the eyes, or swelling of the face - A child is drowsy, drinks poorly, breathes with effort or wheezes - Clear watery discharge from the nose after a blow to the head - Loss of smell or complete blockage that lasts for weeks If you have any of these signs, call 112 or go to emergency care. ## Which doctor to see - General practitioner: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/general-practitioner - Otolaryngologist (ENT): https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/otolaryngologist - Allergist: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/allergist ## What a runny nose is and how it varies A runny nose means discharge from the nose and swelling of the lining, which makes breathing harder. Most often it comes from a cold, clears by itself and improves in about 1 to 2 weeks. The discharge usually starts clear, then thickens and may turn yellow or green, and the color alone does not prove a bacterial infection. Less often the cause is an allergy, an irritant, sinusitis or nasal polyps. ## Viral runny nose or allergy In a cold, a runny nose usually comes with a scratchy throat, a cough and a slightly raised temperature, and lasts a few days. [Influenza](https://bigmed.ge/en/diseases/influenza) starts more abruptly, with a high fever, aches and exhaustion, and a runny nose is not its main symptom. Signs that point to an [allergy](https://bigmed.ge/en/diseases/allergy) are clear watery discharge, bouts of sneezing, an itchy nose and eyes, watery eyes, no fever and a link to pollen season, dust or contact with animals. That kind of runny nose does not go away in a week or two while the trigger is still there. If you suspect an allergy, see an allergist or an ENT doctor. ## Runny nose in a child Children get runny noses more often than adults, especially in kindergarten and school. Babies find it hard to breathe through the nose and eat and sleep worse, so offer more fluids and humidify the air. If the discharge is from one nostril only, foul-smelling or pus-like, especially in a child under 5, think of an object stuck in the nose and see a doctor promptly. Do not wait for it to come out on its own. See a pediatrician if the runny nose comes with a high fever, the child is drowsy, drinks poorly, breathes with effort, tugs at an ear, or the nose has been running for more than 10 days. Ear pain has its own page: [Ear pain](https://bigmed.ge/en/symptoms/ear-pain). ## Runny nose with a fever, cough or sore throat When a fever, cough or sore throat joins the runny nose, it is usually a viral respiratory infection. For the other symptoms, see [Cough](https://bigmed.ge/en/symptoms/cough), [Sore throat](https://bigmed.ge/en/symptoms/sore-throat) and [Fever](https://bigmed.ge/en/symptoms/fever). Reasons to book a visit are a fever of more than 3 days, symptoms that get worse after improving, and pain or heaviness in the forehead, cheeks or around the eyes, which can point to bacterial sinusitis. ## Long-lasting and one-sided runny nose A runny nose that lasts more than 10 days, pus-like, green or bloody discharge, a completely blocked nostril, constant congestion and loss of smell are reasons to see an ENT specialist. The cause can be sinusitis, a deviated septum, polyps or chronic allergic rhinitis. ## Runny nose in pregnancy In pregnancy, a runny nose sometimes appears because of hormonal changes and swelling of the lining, without a cold. But many medicines are not suitable in pregnancy, so do not pick one yourself; check with your obstetrician-gynecologist or a GP. ## What you can do before the visit - Drink more fluids and rest. - Rinse the nose with a saline solution from the pharmacy to flush out mucus. - Humidify the room and air it out. - Sleep with your head slightly raised. - If you use decongestant drops or sprays, use them for only a few days. Longer use can make the congestion worse. - For children, pregnant women and older adults, choose medicines with a doctor or pharmacist. - Do not apply heat to the nose or face if you suspect sinusitis, and do not put home-made mixtures into the nose. ## How a doctor finds the cause The doctor asks about timing, the discharge, fever and allergen contact, and examines the nose and throat. If an allergy is suspected, allergy tests may be offered. For suspected sinusitis or polyps, an ENT specialist can look into the nose with an endoscope, and sometimes a CT scan is added. The plan follows the cause: for a viral infection, care at home is usually enough; for an allergy, avoiding the trigger and the right medication; for a bacterial infection, a doctor decides on an antibiotic, which should never be started on your own. ## Doctors - Sofiia Volchkova — Neurologist, General practitioner: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/sofia-volckova (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/sofia-volckova.md) - Nikoloz Cheishvili — Otolaryngologist (ENT): https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/nikoloz-cheishvili (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/nikoloz-cheishvili.md) - Ekaterine Shonia — Dental Surgeon, General practitioner: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/ekaterine-sonia (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/ekaterine-sonia.md) - Giorgi Basheleishvili — Pediatrician, General practitioner: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/giorgi-basheleishvili (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/giorgi-basheleishvili.md) - Nino Vacheishvili — Gastroenterologist, General practitioner: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/nino-vaceisvili (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/nino-vaceisvili.md) - Anna Biriukova — General practitioner: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/anna-biriukova (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/anna-biriukova.md) - Aleqsandre Gafrindashvili — Otolaryngologist (ENT): https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/aleksandre-gaprindashvili (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/aleksandre-gaprindashvili.md) - Elza Tsirtsumia — Allergist: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/elza-tsirtsumia (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/elza-tsirtsumia.md) ## Frequently asked questions ### Which doctor should I see for a runny nose? An adult can see a general practitioner or an otolaryngologist (ENT), and a child a pediatrician. If it is tied to a season, dust or animals, an allergist can help. ### How long does a normal runny nose last? A cold-related runny nose usually clears in 1 to 2 weeks. If symptoms last more than 10 days without improving or get worse, see a doctor. ### Does green mucus mean bacteria and do I need antibiotics? No. Color alone does not show bacteria, and ordinary colds also produce yellow and green mucus. Only a doctor can decide whether an antibiotic is needed. ### When should I worry about a runny nose in a baby? If the baby breathes with effort, refuses to feed or drink, is drowsy or has a high fever, see a pediatrician right away. If breathing is hard, call 112. ## Related articles - Allergy in Batumi: Why It Occurs and How to Deal with It: https://bigmed.ge/en/blog/allergy-in-batumi-why-it-occurs-and-how-to-deal-with-it (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/blog/allergy-in-batumi-why-it-occurs-and-how-to-deal-with-it.md) - Allergy in Tbilisi: Causes, Pollen Season and How to Manage Symptoms: https://bigmed.ge/en/blog/allergy-in-tbilisi-causes-pollen-season-and-how-to-manage-symptoms (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/blog/allergy-in-tbilisi-causes-pollen-season-and-how-to-manage-symptoms.md) ## Possible Causes - Allergy: https://bigmed.ge/en/diseases/allergy - Diphtheria: https://bigmed.ge/en/diseases/diphtheria - Whooping cough: https://bigmed.ge/en/diseases/pertussis - Measles: https://bigmed.ge/en/diseases/measles - Influenza: https://bigmed.ge/en/diseases/influenza --- Canonical: https://bigmed.ge/en/symptoms/runny-nose Country: Georgia (GE), the country in the South Caucasus Updated: 2026-10-04T21:13:51+04:00