Why do we sneeze at the beginning of a cold?

Sneezing is one of the first signals that the body is beginning to fight against something foreign. Many people notice: even before the appearance of a runny nose, cough, and fever, suddenly several sneezes occur in a row. This is not a coincidence, but a natural defense mechanism.

When a cold virus enters the nasal mucous membrane, it immediately begins to penetrate the cells. The immune system reacts instantly and releases substances that cause irritation of the mucous membrane. Nerve endings receive a signal, and the sneezing reflex is triggered. This is how the body tries to remove viral particles, along with dust or other irritants that have entered the respiratory tract.

Sneezing can be called the first line of defense. It helps to mechanically clean the nasal passages and at least partially prevent the spread of infection. This is why it often seems that a cold begins with several sneezes in a row.

However, a sneeze doesn't always indicate an impending illness. Such a reaction can also occur with allergies, sudden temperature changes, or when a strong smell enters the nose. The difference is that with a cold, sneezing is quite quickly joined by a runny nose, weakness, and malaise.

Thus, sneezing before a cold is a kind of alarm signal from the body. It warns that the immune system has already encountered the pathogen and is trying to stop it at the very earliest stages.