KNOW YOUR ENEMY: COLD, FLU OR ALLERGIES?
Many of us struggle to figure out whether our symptoms stem from a cold, a flu virus, or if they could be seasonal allergies. With so many symptoms common to all three, it can be tricky to know cold symptoms vs. flu symptoms vs. allergy symptoms. Knowing which are allergy symptoms and which are symptoms of other conditions can be helpful.
Reference the chart below to potentially help get an idea of where your symptoms fall. And of course, speaking with your doctor is the only way confirm whether you have cold symptoms, flu symptoms or just seasonal allergy symptoms.
WHICH SYMPTOMS ARE TYPICAL OF EACH CONDITION?*
FEVER or all-over body ache |
COLD Rare |
FLU Common |
ALLERGY Not typical |
DURATION of symptoms |
COLD 2–14 days |
FLU 1–2 weeks |
ALLERGY Often longer than 3 weeks |
| MUCUS |
COLD Thick
|
FLU Thick
|
ALLERGY Clear initially (may turn yellow) thin mucus |
| SNEEZING |
COLD Less prominent, with longer rest time between sneezes |
FLU Less prominent, with longer rest time between sneezes
|
ALLERGY More prominent, with sneezes in rapid succession |
| ITCHY EYES |
COLD Uncommon |
FLU Uncommon
|
ALLERGY Common |
*You should consult a physician to be sure which condition you have.