Cold and allergies start off with similar symptoms that make it hard to determine whether you have cold or allergy. Cold is caused by a virus whereas allergies are an immune system response triggered by exposure to an allergen.
© AFP/File Jim WatsonMarch 14, 2009, (Sawf News) - Cold and allergies start off with similar symptoms that make it hard to determine whether you have cold or allergy. Cold is caused by a virus whereas allergies are an immune system response triggered by exposure to an allergen.
Runny/stuffy nose, sore throat and watery eyes are the symptoms in both but below are the tips to tell them apart:
If your runny nose is accompanied by fever then it is cold.
A gradual set in of runny nose is not allergy.
Symptoms lasting more than two weeks are allergies.
Cold will be usually accompanied by cough but allergies seldom have cough.
General aches and pains are there with cold sometimes but never with allergies.
Cold rarely has itchy eyes where as allergies are more likely to have that.
Treatment:
A common cold treatment includes rest, pain relievers and over-the-counter cold remedies, such as decongestants.
Allergies can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays and decongestants, and avoidance of exposure to allergens where possible.
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