Cold or Allergies? Symptoms: Sore Throat, Runny Nose & More

Chilly and allergy signs typically overlap, so it’s simple to mistake chilly signs for allergy symptoms, and vice versa. Understanding the reason for your signs helps you select the correct remedy. It additionally provides you a greater image of your general well being.

Clinicians use the 5 elements under to assist distinguish between colds and allergy symptoms.

1. When did you start to really feel unwell?

In the event you bear in mind being round somebody who had an higher respiratory an infection just a few days earlier than you began feeling unwell, you might have caught a viral an infection. Viruses are unfold by contact with sneezes, coughs, and contaminated surfaces similar to door handles. Allergic reactions, however, can start instantly after coming involved with triggers similar to pollen. In the event you assume you is perhaps experiencing a seasonal allergy, verify the pollen rely in your space; if ranges are excessive, allergy symptoms could be the perpetrator.

2. What are your signs?

Each allergy symptoms and colds might trigger a runny or stuffy nostril, sneezing, a cough, and fatigue. Itchy eyes, post-nasal drip, and darkish circles below your eyes are extra frequent with allergy symptoms. Signs extra generally attributable to a virus embody sore throat, cloudy or discolored nasal discharge, fever, and common aches and pains.

3. How lengthy have you ever been affected?

A chilly normally lasts 3 to 14 days. Allergy signs can final for weeks or months —so long as you’re uncovered to the allergen you’re reacting to.

4. Are you treating a number of signs?

For a chilly, get further relaxation and drink loads of fluids, together with water, tea, or soup with numerous broth. For allergy symptoms, it may possibly assist to bathe and alter your garments actually because allergens cling to pores and skin, hair, and clothes. For each colds and allergy symptoms, over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, and ache relievers might enable you to really feel higher, though they received’t make a chilly go away any quicker. And it doesn’t matter what ails you, keep away from medicines that deal with a number of signs, particularly if you happen to don’t have a few of the signs the medicine is supposed to deal with.

If dwelling remedies aren’t working and you continue to don’t really feel nicely, join with our Consulting Nurse Service.

5. How can I forestall colds and allergy symptoms?

To keep away from catching a virus and spreading colds:

• Wash your fingers incessantly or use hand sanitizer.
• Cowl your coughs and sneezes.
• Preserve your fingers away out of your eyes, nostril, and mouth, that are the areas of your physique most weak to germs.

To keep away from seasonal allergy symptoms:

• Attempt to restrict your contact with the allergens you react to.
• In case your allergy symptoms hassle you numerous, immunotherapy (similar to allergy pictures) might assist cut back and even utterly forestall irritating signs.

Know your paths to care

We’re right here that will help you get higher shortly, with instruments and knowledge for self-care and handy choices for visits or recommendation if you want it. Simple methods to get assist on your chilly or allergy signs embody:

• Consulting Nurse Service: Name a nurse, who will assess your signs and suggest remedies or different subsequent steps. Out there 24/7.
• On-line go to: Full a questionnaire about your signs. A clinician will present a prognosis, remedy plan and, if wanted, a prescription — with no journey to your physician’s workplace.

 
If signs develop into extreme, Kaiser Permanente pressing care facilities are there for you, too.
 

Need extra native well being information, wellness suggestions, recipes, and extra? Subscribe to our electronic mail publication.