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Cold vs Allergies (from CNN Health and WebMD)
Date: Apr 9, 2009
Common Cold or Allergies?
You've got a runny nose, a cough, and congestion. So have you caught a cold or is it allergies? Unfortunately, it's often hard to tell -- even for doctors. But here's information that may help. Read on to learn more about the causes and treatment of cold and allergy symptoms.
What are Colds and Allergies?
Colds are caused by hundreds of different viruses. When one of these viruses gets into your body, your immune system attacks. Some of the effects of this immune response are the classic symptoms of a cold, such as congestion and coughing.
The germs that cause colds are contagious. You can pick them up when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or shakes hands with you. After a couple of weeks, at the most, your immune system fights off the virus and you stop having symptoms.
Allergies are caused by an overactive immune system. For some reason, your body mistakes harmless substances -- such as mold or pollen -- for germs and attacks them. Your body releases chemicals such as histamine, just as it does when fighting a cold. This can cause swelling in your nasal passages, a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing. Allergies are not contagious, although some people may inherit a tendency to develop them.
Differences Between Colds and Allergies
|
Characteristic |
Cold |
Allergy |
|
Duration |
3-14 days |
Days to months -- as long as you are exposed to the allergen |
|
Time of Year |
Most often in the winter, but possible at any time |
Any time of the year -- although the appearance of some allergens are seasonal |
|
Onset of symptoms |
Symptoms take a few days to appear after infection with the virus. |
Symptoms can begin immediately after exposure to the allergen |
|
Symptom |
Cold |
Allergy |
|
Cough |
Often |
Sometimes |
|
Aches |
Sometimes |
Never |
|
Fatigue |
Sometimes |
Sometimes |
|
Fever |
Rarely |
Never |
|
Itchy, watery eyes |
Rarely |
Often |
|
Sore throat |
Often |
Sometimes |
|
Runny or stuffy nose |
Often; usually yellow mucus |
Often; usually clear mucus |
Although there are some differences, cold and allergy symptoms overlap quite a bit. The most important difference is that colds don't last longer than 14 days. If you still have symptoms after two weeks, these may be allergy symptoms.
Colds and Allergies: Prevention and Treatment
Because the causes of cold and allergy symptoms are quite different, preventing them requires different strategies.
To prevent allergy symptoms, avoid substances you're allergic to, called allergens. So if you're allergic to pollen, for instance, avoid going outside on days when the pollen count is high. Here are common allergens:
- Pollen
- Mold
- Animal dander
- Dust mites
- Cockroaches
To prevent cold symptoms stop the cold-causing virus from getting into your system. Keep your distance from people who have colds. Wash your hands often. To protect others, always cover your mouth and nose (with a tissue or your sleeve, rather than your hands) when sneezing or coughing.
Colds and Allergies: Prevention and Treatment continued...
There is no cure for either the common cold or allergies. But there are ways to ease the cold and allergy symptoms.
To treat both cold and allergy symptoms, you can try:
- Antihistimines, which block the effects of histamine, a natural substance that causes symptoms such as congestion and a runny nose
- Decongestants, whichreduce swelling in the mucus membranes of the nasal passages, making you feel less stuffed up
To treat allergy symptoms, you may also try:
- Nasal steroids, which reduce swelling in the nasal passages, relieving congestion and other symptoms
- Allergy shots, called immunotherapy, which involves being injected with a small amount of the substance to which you are allergic. Over time, the dose is increased. By exposing you to greater and greater amounts of the allergen, your body may develop a tolerance to it.
To treat cold symptoms, you may also try:
- Taking over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as Advil or Alleve, to treat aches and pains.
- Getting extra rest
- Drinking plenty of fluids
Although cold and nasal allergy symptoms are rarely serious, they can sometimes lead to other problems. For instance, both colds and allergies can lead to sinus infections. Colds may also lead to a middle ear infection. If you think you might have allergies -- or your cold symptoms seem severe -- see your doctor.
An interactive presentation can be found here at CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/26/coldvsallergies/