What is the medical condition characterized by clear drainage from the nose?

• A. Rhinitis
• B. Rhinorrhea
• C. Sinusitis
• D. Epistaxis

Answer: (B)

Clear nasal drainage is called rhinorrhea. It describes the fluid that runs from the nostrils and is typically watery, often seen with allergies or viral colds. This focuses on the discharge itself. Rhinitis refers to inflammation of the nasal lining and often includes congestion, itching, and sneezing; the discharge can be watery but the term emphasizes inflammation rather than the fluid. Sinusitis involves the sinus cavities and usually produces thicker, sometimes colored drainage with facial pain or pressure. Epistaxis is nosebleed, meaning bleeding from the nose. So the best term for clear nasal drainage is rhinorrhea.