Test Your Knowledge

Allergies, colds, infections and flu can be hard to distinguish as the symptoms may be similar or even identical. Common symptoms for all of these conditions include:

• Nasal congestion
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Fatigue

Cold symptoms often start gradually and increase over a short period of time. A cold will last from a few days to a couple weeks.   

Colds are also characterized by:

• Fever (usually low) 
• Nasal discharge that may be yellow or green
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches

Cold symptoms that recur often, or last longer than two weeks may be an indication of an allergy. Allergy symptoms may also include:

• Skin rashes (e.g., hives, eczema)
• Clear nasal discharge
• Sneezing repeatedly
• Watery, itchy eyes
• Dark circles under the eyes (allergic shiners)
• Breathing difficulty, such as wheezing
• Diarrhea

Allergy symptoms begin almost immediately after exposure and last for as long as the person is exposed to the allergen. Left untreated, allergies may cause more serious conditions, like sinusitis. In addition, severe systemic allergies (anaphylactic shock) can be fatal. Therefore, it is important for people who suspect an allergy to consult a physician.