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Is it Allergies or the Flu?

The change of seasons also brings a change in seasonal allergies. If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies, spring is an important time to pay attention to your symptoms.

Since cold and flu season often stretches into spring, and because allergies share many symptoms of colds and the flu, it can be tough to tell which is which.

The Different Symptoms

Here are some key points to keep in mind if you or your child starts sniffling or sneezing:

Allergies cause itchiness, but colds and flu do not.
Colds and the flu cause fevers and achy feelings, but allergies do not.
Allergy symptoms kick in right away, but they disappear just as fast — as soon as the allergen (mold, pollen or another irritant) disappears. Cold and flu symptoms take a day or two to develop and then last for a week or more.

Know How to Identify

Chances are your child’s runny nose doesn't signify the flu, but there several symptoms both allergies and the flu share. Here are some more tips to help you identify an allergic reaction from a cold or the flu:

Runny nose: When your child blows their nose, is the mucus thin and watery? Then it’s probably an allergy. If it’s a cold, the flu or a respiratory infection, it will be thick and greenish yellow.
Sneezing: If it’s an allergy, you or your child will sneeze a lot — and often. If it’s a cold or the flu, you’ll only sneeze occasionally during the time when you are sick.
Fever: If it’s an allergy, you or your child won’t have a fever. If it’s a cold or the flu, you may have a low-grade fever. A high fever could be a sign of a more serious respiratory infection.
Itching: If it’s an allergy, you or your child will feel itchiness in the eyes, ears, nose or throat. If it’s a cold or the flu, itchiness will be rare.
Length: If it’s an allergy, the symptoms can last for weeks to months, depending on how long the pollen or other seasonal allergen is around. If it is a cold or the flu, symptoms should resolve in a week to 10 days.

Still Not Sure?

Keep in mind that allergies tend run in the family. So if you have symptoms, pay extra attention to your children.

Take Precautions

If you or your child has allergies, you can make yourself and them feel better with a few common-sense solutions:

Wash your hands, face and body thoroughly after playing or exercising outdoors to remove all traces of pollen.
Use an air conditioner to filter the air when you are inside.
Wear a disposable face mask and sunglasses when doing yard work such as gardening or mowing the lawn.

Talk to Your Doctor

Your doctor will be able to help you find the right allergy medications for your family, to help everyone feel better.

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