Is it a Cold, or is it Hay Fever?

Many of the symptoms of hay fever caused by airborne allergens resemble the symptoms of someone coming down with a cold. How do you know if it is a cold, or is it hay fever? In both instances, the immune system defense mechanism releases inflammatory mediators to fight off the foreign invaders.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose or have congestion, how do you know if you’re coming down with a cold or having an allergic reaction? Sometimes it can be hard to tell the differences when so many of the symptoms can be experienced for both conditions since both are respiratory problems.

To correct the condition, the proper treatment plan must be employed and each treatment plan is different for each of the conditions. It is important, therefore, to know the difference so that the proper medication can be taken. Furthermore, colds can be contagious. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you can spread the virus. If allergies are the problem, know what you are allergic to so you’ll know what allergens to avoid.

Below is a list of symptoms, showing the similarities and differences.

Shared Symptoms for Both

• Runny Nose: Although both produce a runny nose, mucus caused by colds will have color to it. Mucus caused by allergies will be clear or transparent.
• Nasal Congestion: Hay fever is a respiratory response to an allergen. Colds are an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. For both, the immune system releases inflammatory chemicals that cause nasal congestion.
• Sneezing: Both conditions will cause sneezing. However, hay fever can produce prolong and repeated spells of sneezing that colds do not.
• Coughing: Coughing does not last as long with colds as they do with hay fever.
• Fatigue: Both conditions take out the energy from a person.
• Throat Discomfort: Hay fever tends to produce a scratchy throat while colds produce more of a red and sore throat.

Symptoms Unique to Having a Cold

• Mucus Discharge: Thick, yellow to green in color.
• Muscles Aches and Pains: Hay fever rarely produces aches and pains. Needing pain relievers are associated more with colds.
• Fever: It is very possible to have a mild fever when the cold is caused by a virus. Having a fever is not likely to be a symptom of having hay fever.

Symptoms Unique to Allergies

• Mucus Discharge: Thin, watery and clear.
• Itchiness (nose or eyes): Although colds and allergies can produce a runny nose and watery eyes, the itchiness of the nose and eyes is attributed more to hay fever.
• Allergy Shiner: Dark circles under the eyes.
• Allergic Salute: Constant upward nose wiping.

As this list above shows, determining your condition based on symptoms alone can sometimes be confusing. Often, it is helpful to look at other variables.

The Duration of Symptoms

• Colds: Symptoms can last up to 1-2 weeks before you are completely rid of the virus. If the symptoms last longer, it may be a result of hay fever.
• Hay Fever: Symptoms last as long as the allergen is present (weeks to months for ragweed, for example). Drugs can cover over the symptoms but the immune system is still attacking the allergen as long as it is present.

Time of Year That Symptoms Appear

• Colds: Symptoms can happen anytime of the year with winter time being more common.
• Hay Fever: If symptoms occur during the same time on the calendar each year, seasonal allergic rhinitis seems to be indicated. Common causes can be from grass, trees, or weed pollen. If symptoms occur all year long, perennial allergic rhinitis seems to be indicated. Common causes can be from dust mites, mold spores, or animal dander.

The Speed in Which the Symptoms Appear

• Colds: It can take days for the symptoms to develop from the time of infection.
• Hay Fever: Symptoms develop relatively quickly after exposure to the allergen.

The Cause

Colds: There are many different kinds of viruses that can cause the common cold. The body’s defense to the foreign invader is to produce and release inflammatory chemicals. The virus is contagious and can be transferred from person to person many different ways. Direct contact is the most common way; however, the virus can also be inhaled. This is one reason why many children come down with colds. They are in close proximity to other children who have the virus at school and at day care centers. One common way to catch a cold is to have the virus on the hands from direct contact or toughing a surface that has the virus. By toughing ones eyes, ears, nose, or mouth, the virus gains entry into the body.

Hay Fever: There are many different kinds of allergens that can cause allergic rhinitis. Some allergens cause symptoms all year long. Other allergens cause symptoms only during certain times of the year. Allergic rhinitis is caused by the exposure to pollen, mold, dust mites, cockroaches, pet dander, and ragweed allergy. These proteins are perfectly harmless to the body. However, the immune system reacts improperly and responds as if the allergen was a virus or bacteria. The immune system sees the allergen as a foreign invader. Antibodies are produced that marks the allergen for destruction. The immune systems method for attacking is to release a host of inflammatory chemicals that results in producing the symptoms. Even though allergies are not contagious, we can inherit the tendency to develop allergies.

Treatment

Colds: There is no cure for the common cold. It must run its course. But there are some things that you can do for relief. Probably the best thing that you can do for yourself is to get plenty of rest and to drink lots of fluids. Eating hot soup and gargling with warm salt water can also be helpful. There are many over-the-counter remedies at the store such as decongestants and pain relievers.

Hay Fever: There is no cure for allergies. By far, the best way to treat allergies is to avoid the very thing that you are allergic to. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. The good news is that there are a lot of environmental controls on the market to help with this effort. There are only 3 ways to address the problem of allergies; drugs, immunotherapy (allergy shots), and avoidance. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.

Prevention

Colds: Avoiding contact and close proximity to others who have the virus is the best way to prevent yourself from coming down with a cold. The virus that causes the cold is easily transferable so frequent hand-washing is highly recommended. If you are the one who has the cold, cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing to prevent from spreading the virus to others. It is best to cover your mouth with something other than your hand so that you hands don’t transfer the germs onto other surfaces.

Hay Fever: Avoiding contact to the allergen that you are allergic to is the best way to prevent allergic symptoms. Pollen Avoidance, Mold Allergy Avoidance, Dust Mite Avoidance, Cockroach Avoidance, and Pet Allergy Avoidance are not hard to do and small efforts can lead to big rewards. Drugs, on the other hand, can be effective at addressing the symptoms but does not address the cause. There are also many possible side effects to taking drugs that you don’t experience by making minor lifestyle changes.

You cannot do anything about the genes that you inherit that gives you the tendency to develop allergies. But research has shown that inner city children develop more allergies to cockroaches because of high concentrations of the allergen for prolong periods of time. Avoidance is always the best measure to prevention.

In conclusion, both nasal allergies and colds cause respiratory problems. Understanding a little bit about the similarities and differences will help you make better decisions. Neither condition should be allowed to go on without attention. Colds can lead to sinus infections and middle ear infections. Allergies can cause more serious problems like sinusitis, post nasal drip and allergic asthma. Talk to your doctor about your condition, symptoms, and treatment options. Then, take care of your health because nobody can do it for you.

To learn more, read the article Flu/Cold or Hay Fever by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Go to the nasal allergies home page.

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