Cold, Flu and Allergy Symptoms – Know the Difference

You might be one of the millions who dread the changing seasons because common colds, allergies, and sinus problems can pop up like daisies and dandelions—leaving you sneezing and sniffling. But keeping your family healthy is easy if you start early with the appropriate medicines. Cough drops, nasal sprays, and sore throat sprays can provide immediate relief at the first sign of illness. However, if your symptoms persist, you might be dealing with more serious allergy or sinus problems.

So when the sniffling symptoms hit, how will you know if it's a common cold, allergies, or a sinus problem?

First, ask yourself a few questions:

How long have you had your symptoms? A common cold usually lasts about a week to 10 days.
Do you have a fever? While allergies might produce symptoms such as a low-grade fever, they are never accompanied by a high fever (more than 102º F or 38.9º C).
Do you have a headache? Are you sniffling or congested, or do you feel pressure around the eyes? This could be a sign of sinus problems.

Then, check this list of common symptoms and how frequently they occur with common colds, allergies, and sinus problems, according to experts at the Stanford University Medical Center. Be sure to speak with your doctor about your own symptoms to see if you have allergies or sinus problems.

Common Cold, Flu, and Allergy Symptoms

1. Runny nose/sniffling?

It’s often due to allergies or a common cold, and sometimes due to a sinus problem.

2. Sneezing?

It’s often due to allergies, sometimes due to a common cold, and rarely due to a sinus problem.

3. Itchy eyes?

It’s often due to allergies, rarely due to a common cold, and sometimes due to a sinus problem.

4. Fever?

Sometimes a low-grade fever is due to allergies, often due to a common cold, and rarely due to a sinus problem.

5. Aches and pains?

They’re sometimes due to allergies, sometimes due to a common cold, and rarely due to a sinus problem.

6. Headache?

It’s sometimes due to allergies and often due to a common cold or sinus problem.

7. Cough?

It’s sometimes due to allergies, often due to a common cold, and rarely due to a sinus problem.

8. Dizziness?

It’s sometimes due to allergies, often due to a common cold, and rarely due to a sinus problem.

9. Hoarse?

It’s sometimes due to allergies or a sinus problem, and often due to a common cold.

10. Sore throat?

It’s often due to allergies, a common cold, or a sinus problem.

11. Sinus pressure?

It’s sometimes due to allergies or a common cold, and often due to a sinus problem.

12. Symptoms that reoccur at certain times of the year?

They’re often due to allergies, rarely due to a common cold, and sometimes due to a sinus problem.

13. Need antibiotics?

It’s never due to allergies or a common cold, but sometimes due to a sinus problem.In relation to warning time, if your symptoms occur after exposure to an allergen, you’re suffering from allergies. If your symptoms get worse over several days, it indicates a common cold. If your symptoms get worse and are accompanied by an infection, you probably have a sinus infection.

14. How long do your symptoms last?

If you’re suffering for only as long as you’re exposed to an allergen, it indicates allergies. If your condition lasts a week to 10 days, it’s probably a common cold. If it lasts three to four days, it’s probably a sinus problem.