Coryza

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Coryza is a word describing the symptoms of a head cold. It describes the inflammation of the mucus membranes lining the nasal cavity which usually gives rise to the symptoms of a running nose nasal congestion and loss of smell among others. It should be noted that Coryza may not always have an infectious and allergenic aetiology and can also be due to something as innocuous as a cold wind or hot and spicy food.

Commonly used in association with the "three Cs" of Measles infection: Coryza, Conjunctivitis, and Cough.

This word may have its roots in the Greek Koryza, which is likely to be compounded from "kara" and "zeein". which are the noun for head and the verb, to boil. Coryza would therefore be a boiling over of the head.

[edit] See also

• Rhinitis - another word for this set of symptoms
• Feline coryza