Colds or Allergies: How to Tell the Difference
The Groundhog has spoken. With spring right around the corner, it looks like the season of sneezing and coughing will continue. But what is it that’s causing you to plow through boxes of tissues and bottles of hand sanitizer? Is it a cold or just your allergies?
In case you were curious, colds are caused by a virus which infects your body. When this happens, your immune system launches a counter-attack with infection-fighting cells. The after-effects of these cells are usually the cause of your cough or stuffy nose. Colds can last from 2-14 days and are usually, but not always, experienced during winter.
Allergies, on the other hand, are caused by an overactive immune system. Your body will sometimes mistake dust, pollen, animal dander, etc. for harmful objects. This will initiate the same response as what happens when your body has a cold. Allergies are usually experienced seasonally, but they could last for months.
This chart describes some of the symptoms for colds and allergies. Take a look to see what may be making you feel under-the-weather.
The next time you reach for a tissue, check your symptoms to see if you have a cold or allergies. If you have any concerns about your symptoms, schedule an appointment with Premier Medical online, or contact a nearby office.
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