It’s summertime in the Hudson Valley, and living is easy. Except for those of us who get a bad summer cold or suffer from allergies. The thing is – how can you tell the difference, and does it really matter?*
Yes, it does matter because prevention, treatment, and recovery time are different for each. And there are complications to both if they’re not treated properly and in a timely manner.
All about colds
What exactly is a cold? Colds are viral infections in your upper respiratory tract that spread easily and are contagious. So, if you have one, it’s important to keep your distance from others, especially the elderly, the very young, or those who have weakened immune systems. Colds are usually spread through droplets that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets then enter the body of whoever breathes them in, or touches contaminated surfaces before touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Then, before you know it, someone else in the household has also come down with a cold.**
What are the typical symptoms?
What confuses a lot of people is that many symptoms of a cold are like symptoms of allergies. But there are some big differences. Cold symptoms typically include:
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Mild body aches
- Low grade fever
While most colds resolve on their own, they can sometimes lead to other infections that range from mild to potentially severe. These complications include sinus infections, middle ear infections, asthma attacks, bronchitis and pneumonia. So, if you suspect a cold, make your health a priority.
While there’s no cure for the common cold, there are various treatments to help get rid of symptoms and make you more comfortable during recovery:
- Get as much rest as you can to help your body recover.
- Drink plenty of fluids, which will thin the excess mucus that comes from a cold. Herbal teas and broth, in addition to good old-fashioned water, will help.
- Use a humidifier which will help relieve your congestion and sooth irritated airways.
- Many people find that warm saltwater gargles are helpful. You can also put a warm towel over your head, and inhale steam from a very hot bowl of water or a steaming pot to relieve congestion. Honey is also helpful.
- Consider over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, decongestants, cough suppressants, and expectorants to help ease symptoms and make it easier to go about your day. But be careful with nasal sprays because if used for more than 3 days, they can cause rebound congestion.
All about allergies
While allergies and colds have some common symptoms such as a runny nose and congestion, there are telltale signs that set them apart. The biggest difference is the cause. While colds are caused by viruses, allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to harmless substances like pollen, trees, grasses, and weeds. When your body overreacts, it creates antibodies to the allergen, causing some of your cells to release histamines and other inflammatory agents. If you’re not sure whether it’s allergies or a cold, look for these key differences:***
- Seasonal. This is a big one. Allergies are usually seasonal, and if you tend to get symptoms every spring or fall, you’re most likely getting an allergy. But don’t let the weather itself fool you. Trees in the Hudson Valley can start to pollinate even when there’s snow on the ground.
- Clear mucus. Colds can start with an excess amount of clear mucus, but over time the mucus from a cold will turn cloudy or have a yellowish color. Mucus from allergies stays clear and thin.
- Itchy and watery eyes. A bad cold can cause some redness or discomfort around your eyes, but you’re most likely having an allergic reaction if your eyes become excessively itchy and watery.
- Symptoms that linger. Colds typically last for about 7 days, but allergy symptoms, especially if you’re continually confronted with the allergens, will last a few weeks.
- Fever. Fever can be a distinguishing sign, occurring with some colds but not typically with allergies.
- Aches and pain. A bad cold often causes bodily aches and pains, but this won’t occur with allergies. While allergies can make you feel tired, they rarely cause aches and pains that keep you in bed.
10 quick facts about colds and allergies
- The American Lung Association reports that most adults experience 2-3 colds each year.
- Over 31% of U.S. adults have allergies
- More than 50 million Americans have at least 1 allergy.
- Hundreds of different viruses can cause a cold. Rhinoviruses are the most common.
- You can get multiple colds at once. It’s possible to catch the flu, COVID-19 and a cold all at the same time
- Hay fever often has nothing to do with hay. It all depends on what you’re allergic to. While some people are in fact allergic to hay, most people with allergic reactions are allergic to pollen, mold, dust, or pet dander.
- Insect stings can cause severe allergic reactions. We love our honeybees, but for some people a sting from honeybees, hornets, wasps, yellow jackets, and fire ants can trigger anaphylaxis (a severe and potentially critical allergic reaction that can happen quickly).
- Allergy testing from the doctor can pinpoint the specific allergens you’re allergic to.
- A cold virus can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours.
- Flu is not a bad cold. They’re both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they’re different illnesses. Flu is caused specifically by the influenza virus, while colds can be caused by hundreds of other viruses. Flu symptoms are much more severe, and can be life threatening, so it’s important to see a doctor if the flu is suspected.****
We’re in the tail end of summer now, and it’s time to enjoy the warm weather while we can. If you’re bothered by symptoms of a cold or allergy, call our office today for more information or to make an appointment. Visit us at https://www.premiermedicalhv.com/ or reach us at 888-632-6099.
*[https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/common-cold/faq-20057857]
**[https://www.cdc.gov/common-cold/about/index.html]
***[https://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergy-symptoms]
****[https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/coldflu.html]