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Nasal congestion, runny nose and malaise are among the most common symptoms in everyday life, but they can become more frequent during autumn and winter. Changes in temperature, drier air, spending more time indoors, poor ventilation and increased circulation of respiratory viruses help explain why these discomforts tend to appear more intensely during this period.
Although frequent, these symptoms should not always be interpreted in the same way. In some cases, they are part of mild, short-lived conditions. In others, they may be associated with influenza, colds, allergies, environmental irritants or situations that require more careful assessment.
For Diffucap, addressing common respiratory symptoms means reinforcing the importance of responsible health information. The goal is not to create alarm, but to help people better understand their own body, recognise warning signs and avoid rushed decisions about medicine use.
Why do these symptoms increase in cold weather?
During autumn and winter, several factors favour the increase in respiratory symptoms. Drier air can irritate the airways and contribute to a blocked nose, dry throat and respiratory discomfort. Spending more time indoors in poorly ventilated environments can also make respiratory viruses easier to transmit.
In addition, sudden temperature changes can intensify symptoms in people with greater nasal sensitivity or a history of allergies. Dust, mould, stored clothing, blankets and poorly ventilated rooms can also act as triggers.
Together, these factors help explain why nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, cough and malaise are usually noticed more in colder seasons.
Nasal congestion and runny nose: what can they indicate?
Nasal congestion occurs when the internal structures of the nose become irritated or swollen, making it harder for air to pass through. It may be perceived as a blocked nose, more difficult breathing, mild facial pressure or the need to breathe through the mouth.
A runny nose refers to the discharge of nasal secretions. The secretion may be more watery, thicker, clear or yellowish, depending on the stage of the condition and the associated factor. Although many people associate any nasal discharge with infection, this interpretation is not always correct.
In allergic conditions, nasal discharge is usually more watery and may be accompanied by sneezing, itching in the nose and watery eyes. In colds, it may appear together with a sore throat, nasal congestion, mild cough and feeling unwell. In influenza, symptoms tend to be more intense, with fever, body aches, chills, malaise and marked fatigue.
Influenza, cold or allergy?
Influenza, colds and allergies may have similar symptoms, but they tend to follow different patterns.
A cold generally starts more gradually and causes milder symptoms. It may cause a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, mild cough and sore throat. Influenza tends to cause more intense symptoms, with fever, body aches, chills, headache, marked fatigue and malaise.
Allergic conditions, in turn, are more commonly associated with repeated sneezing, itching, watery nasal discharge and symptoms that appear after contact with dust, mould, pet hair, strong odours, stored clothing or environmental changes.
These differences help guide perception, but they do not replace professional assessment. In some situations, respiratory symptoms may overlap, making it difficult to distinguish them based only on everyday observation.
Malaise, fever and warning signs
Malaise is a general feeling of being unwell. It may be accompanied by tiredness, body aches, chills, drowsiness, headache, throat irritation or fever.
When it appears together with respiratory symptoms, it may indicate that the body is reacting to an infectious or inflammatory process. In mild conditions, progression is usually limited and gradual. However, some signs require attention: persistent fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, significant worsening of general condition, dehydration, bluish lips, intense drowsiness or symptoms that worsen after apparent improvement.
Additional care is also needed for people with greater vulnerability, such as older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with respiratory, cardiovascular, kidney or metabolic diseases, or with immunosuppression. In these groups, apparently common symptoms may require closer monitoring.
Self-medication for respiratory symptoms
Respiratory symptoms often lead many people to self-medicate. As nasal congestion, runny nose, body aches, fever and malaise are frequent, medicines are commonly taken without professional guidance, often based on previous experiences or informal advice.
This behaviour can pose risks. Self-medication can contribute to intoxication, undesirable effects, inappropriate medicine use and delays in identifying conditions that would require assessment.
Another point of attention is the combination of products. Medicines for respiratory symptoms may contain combined active ingredients. When a person takes more than one product without checking the composition, there may be duplication of substances, unintentional dose increases, interactions, drowsiness, changes in blood pressure or other undesirable effects, depending on the case.
For this reason, the package leaflet and pharmacist guidance play an important role. They help clarify composition, directions for use, contraindications, interactions, adverse reactions and limits of use.
Responsible information about respiratory symptoms
Nasal congestion, runny nose and malaise may be related to different situations, from short-lived conditions to conditions that require more careful assessment. In autumn and winter, these symptoms may become more frequent, but context remains essential: duration, intensity, associated symptoms, health history, age, recurrence and progression over the days all help provide a better understanding of the condition.
Diffucap reinforces that health information should increase awareness, not replace professional assessment. In common respiratory symptoms, this commitment involves guiding the public on warning signs, the limits of self-medication, reading the package leaflet and responsible medicine use.
When there is uncertainty, recurrence, progressive worsening or warning signs, professional assessment makes it possible to interpret the condition more safely.
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References consulted
Ministry of Health. Influenza (Flu)
https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/saude-de-a-a-z/g/gripe-influenza
Ministry of Health. Virtual Health Library. Flu and colds
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/gripe-e-resfriado/
Ministry of Health. Virtual Health Library. Self-medication
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/automedicacao/
Cleveland Clinic. Nasal Congestion: What It Is, Causes & Treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17980-nasal-congestion
Cleveland Clinic. Nasal Obstruction: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/nasal-obstruction
BVS Primary Health Care. Saline nasal irrigation for sinonasal diseases
https://aps-repo.bvs.br/aps/deve-se-recomendar-o-uso-de-irrigacao-nasal-com-soro-para-tratamento-da-rinossinusite/
