The more time passes, the more you complain about having runny nose? This is no coincidence. “The immune system tends to age with age, recalls Dr Vincent Dodier, geriatrician at the Pau Pyrénées Polyclinic. This implies that older people are more exposed to viruses such as rhinovirus or coronavirus and may react less well to them.. These viruses are responsible for the famous “cold” associated with a runny nose. “It is important to remember that rhinoviruses do not cause systemic immune reactions. That is to say, the patient can be reinfected later with the same virus and thus develop several episodes (of colds, editor’s note) throughout of his life.”
The mucous membranes of the nasal passages also undergo natural atrophy with age, meaning that they become thinner and less effective at retaining moisture. They are also drier. All this contributes to the feeling of nasal irritation and the famous “drip in the nose”. Hormonal changes can also affect mucus production and consistency and increase the feeling of a runny nose.
The treatments are intended to restore nasal permeability and stop the flow. “It is necessary to combine local and general medications” informs our interlocutor. Cleaning the nasal passages is important and can be done using sodium chloride in single-dose vials, with isotonic seawater solutions several times a day. Oral decongestants can improve the feeling of a stuffy nose by restoring the permeability of the nasal passages but should be used with caution in the elderly.
“In addition, specific cold medications are capable of treating all symptoms.” They may contain vitamin C which helps fight fatigue and reduce the duration of symptoms. “In the event of fever or associated pain, analgesics such as paracetamol may be recommended. It is necessary to remind the patient that the purulent nature of the nasal discharge, the presence of fever or even the desire to reduce the duration of symptoms are in no case criteria that can justify a prescription of antibiotics.
Thanks to Dr Vincent Dodier, geriatrician at the Pau Pyrénées Polyclinic.