Allergies Vs. Cold

Do you have a running nose, cough and nasal congestion? In such a condition, it is very difficult to differentiate between allergies and cold, as both of them involve the immune system. It is hard to believe, but many health care professionals also have a hard time to differentiate between the two. To understand allergies vs. common cold better, let's see what are colds and allergies.

What is a Cold?
Common cold is as a result of harmful bacteria or viruses. Since they are intruders in the body, the immune system attacks them. Cold, cough and congestion are actually effects of the immune system responding to these intruders. If a cold is caused by a virus, the cold is contagious and spreads, when a person with cold sneezes, coughs in the periphery or shakes hands. The common symptoms, which accompany colds caused by viruses are sore throat, sneezing, cough and running or stuffy nose. Some people may also experience body aches and pains. In rare cases, people may also have mild fever. Mild to moderate chest discomfort may also be seen in some people.

What are Allergies?
If a person contracts cold suddenly and it occurs at the same time of the year, every year, it is a symptom of allergy. It is actually seasonal allergy in particular. It is the response given to a particular allergen by the immune system. The allergens can be mold or pollens. The body actually mistakes them for germs and attacks them, causing allergies. The common symptoms of allergies are itchy eyes, running or stuffy nose. Fever is never a symptom of allergies, although some people may have sore throat or fatigue. These allergies are not contagious hence, are not passed from one person to another. Allergies take about a few weeks before they are completely eliminated from the body.

Allergies Vs. Cold
To differentiate between symptoms of allergies and cold, understand that the symptoms of cold take a few days to appear after the person has been infected with the virus. On the other hand, the symptoms of allergies appear immediately after the person is exposed to the allergen. The duration of cold can be anywhere between three to fourteen days, but allergies last till the person is exposed to the allergen causing the allergy. Cold is very common feature during the winter, but it can occur any time of the year. Allergies are commonly seen during the pollen season. Colds just cause inconvenience, but allergies can give rise to life-threatening conditions. More often than not, in case of allergies, there are no infections but they can give rise to infections.

Since the symptoms of both cold and allergies are different, the method to be implemented to treat them is also different. If you have allergies, make sure you make a note of what are you allergic to. So, next time you can stay clear of those allergens. The most common allergens are pollen, mold, dust mites and animal dander. To prevent cold, make sure you are not in close proximity of people who have cold. Make sure you wash your hands often, also when you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose. To treat both allergy as well as cold, antihistamines and decongestants are prescribed. Nasal steroids may be given to treat allergy.

Allergies Vs. Cold Vs. Flu
There is a lot of confusion between allergies, cold and flu. Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza virus. The symptoms of flu are very similar to that of allergy and cold symptoms. There are flu vaccines, which are available against this virus.

I hope with this article, you are able to understand the difference between allergies and cold. If you have confusion between allergies and cold, it is always recommended that you visit your health care professional. He will be in a better position to diagnose the exact problem.