Is it allergies, a cold or the flu?

It could start with a few sneezes, an itchy throat or a cough.

That’s all it takes to start thinking that you might be sick, have allergies or the flu. (None of the options is pleasant.)

Identifying allergies, colds and the flu can be tricky due to similar symptoms.

By tracking how symptoms arise, their duration and their environmental triggers – like exposure to pets or being outdoors – you can better identify the cause and find relief with the best treatment.

You might have pollen allergy symptoms until the first frost sets in. Sneezing and coughing can be caused by pollen allergies, as well as cold or flu.

Seasonal allergies

Sneezing and coughing can be caused by allergies. With climate change, allergy sufferers also deal with longer seasons.

Allergies are caused by your body’s immune response to environmental allergens.

• Tree pollen causes spring allergies.
• Grass pollen triggers summer allergies.
• Weed pollen, such as ragweed and mold spores (a side effect of decaying leaves), are the main problem in fall.
• Dust mites and pet dander can lead to symptoms all year.

Some patients are affected by multiple allergies across different seasons.

Key allergy symptoms

• Long-lasting symptoms, usually several weeks or months that far outlast the span of a typical cold
• Itchiness of the nose, ears, throat and eyes
• Red, watery eyes

Consider whether the symptoms are worse outdoors, for pollen-related allergies. And consider when you notice your symptoms. Symptoms for those with pollen allergies can be worse in the morning or triggered after being outdoors.

Ways to ease your allergy symptoms

If you know you’re dealing with allergies, you can be proactive to lessen the severity of your symptoms.

• Check the pollen counts in your area.
• Spend more time indoors.
• Shower after spending time outdoors so you’re not continually exposed to pollen after coming back inside.
• Routinely dust and vacuum. Make sure you routinely change the air filters.
• Consider taking allergy medication – whether it’s over-the-counter or prescribed.

If you’re new to allergy medicine, start with antihistamines in a drug store. If you’re not feeling better in a few days, you might want to try an intranasal steroid. It could help more than antihistamines, or be a good option if antihistamines aren’t doing the trick. And avoid nasal decongestants – they can cause rebound congestion if you take them for more than three days.

If you’re struggling with allergies, consider seeing an allergist. Allergies left untreated can affect your quality of life.

What an allergist can do for you

Seeing an allergist helps you figure out what’s causing your allergies and find the best way to treat them.

• Tests like skin or blood checks show which allergens bother you.
• Different prescribed medications including sprays, drops, tablets, or even allergy shots are available.
• Immunotherapy, which helps your body build up a tolerance to allergens, can be given in a few different ways – either as tablets placed under your tongue, via allergy shots or through small injections into your lymph nodes.

An allergist can discuss the best option that will work for you.

Do I have a cold or the flu?

To lower your risk of catching the flu, consider getting a flu vaccine each year. Flu and cold symptoms are initially similar – fatigue, sore throat and headache.

If you think it is the flu or a cold, then go ahead and do then doing supportive therapy including hydration, rest, decongestants (over the counter). All of these can be used to help decrease symptoms.

If you think you’ve caught the flu or just have a cold, don’t worry – you can take steps to feel better.

Focus on giving your body plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated, and consider using over-the-counter decongestants if you’re feeling stuffy. These simple things can really help ease your symptoms.

When to consider going to a doctor

It’s recommended that you see your doctor if you’re at high risk for flu complications, such as being very old or young, having lung conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), liver or kidney disease, or other ongoing medical issues.

If you start developing symptoms after having contact with someone with the flu, take action and consider seeing your doctor.