Too often when someone has the sniffles, others assume that they are contagious. However, those sniffles are often caused by something not contagious at all. For those suffering from congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing, a cold may be the first thought, but these are also signs of allergies.
What Is a Cold?
Also known as “the common cold,” a cold is virus.
Key features of this common Cold.
Colds may be passed through the air from coughing and sneezing, as well as through touch.
Most common symptoms include cough, sore throat, and a runny, stuffy nose.
Sneezing and itchy eyes are less common symptoms.
More severe colds can cause fevers and
body aches.
Recovery is usually quick — in fact, the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) estimates that the average
duration is 7 to 10 days.
If symptoms last more than a week or two, the cold may have progressed into an infection.
People with allergies are sometimes more prone to catching colds.
Despite its name, you can catch a “cold” any time of year. NIAID estimates that the average healthy adult catches two to three colds per year. Young children may get more colds because of their
weaker immune systems.
What Are Allergies?
Allergies occur when your immune system has an adverse reaction to certain substances. Upon exposure to triggers, the immune system releases chemicals called histamines. While intended to fight off perceived intruders, the release of histamine is actually what causes allergy symptoms.
The following are the facts you need to know about allergies:
Some of the symptoms are similar to colds, such as sneezing, sore throat, coughing, runny nose, and congestion.
Sore throat in allergies is most often caused by postnasal drip.
Allergies can also cause rashes and itchy eyes.
Fevers and body aches are not signs of an allergy. Seasonal allergies are most common, but you might also be allergic to certain substances year round. Allergy triggers may include: pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds dust mites, animal dander, mold foods (such as tree nuts, milk, and eggs)
You can tell you might suffer from allergies instead of a cold by the duration of your symptoms — they won’t go away without treatment or removal from the original trigger.
Treating the Common Cold
Since they are viruses, colds themselves are no treatable. Still, there are medications that can help alleviate your symptoms while a cold runs its course. These include: cough syrups (these are not recommended for children under the age of two) decongestant sprays (only use for a few
days — these are also not recommended for children) pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) multi-symptom cold relief medicines (such as DayQuil)
Make sure you ask your doctor before taking any over-the-counter cold medications, especially if you take any prescription medications or if you have any underlying health conditions. No cold medications should be used for an extended period of time. Doing so can cause side effects, such as liver damage.
There are also lifestyle remedies you can try that are free of the risk of side effects. Some of the
options include:
drinking a lot of water, juice, and herbal tea (avoid caffeine)
using saline nasal sprays
gargling with salt water
using a humidifier
Antibiotics don’t work for colds, since they are viruses. If a cold progresses to a sinus infection, however, an antibiotic may be used.
