{"id":1328,"date":"2016-10-11T11:10:26","date_gmt":"2016-10-11T16:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shct.wpengine.com\/littlerock\/?p=1328"},"modified":"2016-10-11T11:10:26","modified_gmt":"2016-10-11T16:10:26","slug":"cold-flu-or-allergy-know-the-difference-for-best-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uamscaregiving.org\/littlerock\/2016\/10\/11\/cold-flu-or-allergy-know-the-difference-for-best-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Cold, Flu, or Allergy? Know the Difference for Best Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You\u2019re feeling pretty lousy. You\u2019ve got sniffles, sneezing, and a sore throat. Is it a cold, flu, or allergies? It can be hard to tell them apart because they share so many symptoms. But understanding the differences will help you choose the best treatment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you know what you have, you won\u2019t take medications that you don\u2019t need, that aren\u2019t effective, or that might even make your symptoms worse,\u201d says NIH\u2019s Dr. Teresa Hauguel, an expert on infectious diseases th<\/em>at affect breathing.<\/p>\n

Cold, flu, and allergy all affect your respiratory system<\/a><\/strong>, which can make it hard to breathe. Each condition has key symptoms that set them apart.<\/p>\n

Colds and flu are caused by different viruses. \u201cAs a rule of thumb, the symptoms associated with the flu are more severe,\u201d says Hauguel. Both illnesses can lead to a runny, stuffy nose; congestion; cough; and sore throat. But the flu can also cause high fever that lasts for 3-4 days, along with a headache, fatigue, and general aches and pain. These symptoms are less common when you have a cold.<\/p>\n

\u201cAllergies are a little different, because they aren\u2019t caused by a virus,\u201d Hauguel explains. \u201cInstead, it\u2019s your body\u2019s immune system<\/a><\/strong> reacting to a trigger, or allergen, which is something you\u2019re allergic to.\u201d If you have allergies and breathe in things like pollen or pet dander, the immune cells in your nose and airways may overreact to these harmless substances. Your delicate respiratory tissues may then swell, and your nose may become stuffed up or runny.<\/p>\n

\u201cAllergies can also cause itchy, watery eyes, which you don\u2019t normally have with a cold or flu,\u201d Hauguel adds.<\/p>\n

Allergy symptoms usually last as long as you\u2019re exposed to the allergen, which may be about 6 weeks during pollen seasons in the spring, summer, or fall. Colds and flu rarely last beyond 2 weeks.<\/p>\n

Most people with a cold or flu recover on their own without medical care. But check with a health care provider if symptoms last beyond 10 days or if symptoms aren\u2019t relieved by over-the-counter medicines. For more about when to see a doctor, go to CDC’s Flu Page<\/a> \"http:\/\/newsinhealth-test.od.nih.gov\/images2\/extLink.gif\"<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To treat colds or flu, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. If you have the flu, pain relievers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen can reduce fever or aches. Allergies can be treated with antihistamines or decongestants. See the \u201cWise Choices\u201d box for more details.<\/p>\n

Be careful to avoid \u201cdrug overlap\u201d when taking medicines that list 2 or more active ingredients on the label. For example, if you take 2 different drugs that contain acetaminophen\u2014one for a stuffy nose and the other for headache\u2014you may be getting too much acetaminophen.<\/p>\n

\u201cRead medicine labels carefully\u2014the warnings, side effects, dosages. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you have children who are sick,\u201d Hauguel says. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to overmedicate, and you don\u2019t want to risk taking a medication that may interact with another.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cold, Flu, or Allergy? <\/strong>Tips and Treatments<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Symptoms<\/strong><\/td>\nCold<\/strong><\/td>\nFlu<\/strong><\/td>\nAirborne Allergy<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fever<\/td>\nRare<\/td>\nUsual, high (100-102 \u00b0F), sometimes higher, especially in young children); lasts 3-4 days<\/td>\nNever<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Headache<\/td>\nUncommon<\/td>\nCommon<\/td>\nUncommon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
General Aches, Pains<\/td>\nSlight<\/td>\nUsual; often severe<\/td>\nNever<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fatigue, Weakness<\/td>\nSometimes<\/td>\nUsual, can last up to 3 weeks<\/td>\nSometimes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Extreme Exhaustion<\/td>\nNever<\/td>\nUsual, at the beginning of the illness<\/td>\nNever<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stuffy, Runny Nose<\/td>\nCommon<\/td>\nSometimes<\/td>\nCommon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sneezing<\/td>\nUsual<\/td>\nSometimes<\/td>\nUsual<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sore Throat<\/td>\nCommon<\/td>\nSometimes<\/td>\nSometimes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cough<\/td>\nCommon<\/td>\nCommon, can become severe<\/td>\nSometimes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chest Discomfort<\/td>\nMild to moderate<\/td>\nCommon<\/td>\nRare, except for those with allergic asthma<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Treatment<\/strong><\/td>\nGet plenty of rest.
\nStay hydrated. (Drink plenty of fluids.)
\nDecongestants.
\nAspirin (ages 18 and up), acetaminophen, or ibuprofen for aches and pains<\/td>\n		Get plenty of rest.
\nStay hydrated.
\nAspirin (ages 18 and up), acetaminophen, or ibuprofen for aches, pains, and fever
\nAntiviral medicines (see your doctor)<\/td>\n		Avoid allergens (things that you\u2019re allergic to)
\nAntihistamines
\nNasal steroids
\nDecongestants<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prevention<\/strong><\/td>\nWash your hands often.
\nAvoid close contact with anyone who has a cold.<\/td>\n		Get the flu vaccine each year.
\nWash your hands often.
\nAvoid close contact with anyone who has the flu.<\/td>\n		Avoid allergens, such as pollen, house dust mites, mold, pet dander, cockroaches.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Complications<\/strong><\/td>\nSinus infection middle ear infection, asthma<\/td>\nBronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening<\/td>\nSinus infection, middle ear infection, asthma<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
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