Sniffling, sneezing, watery eyes and coughing. We’ve all been there. What starts as a tickle in the throat or a sneeze here or there can quickly turn into symptoms that last for days — sometimes weeks. But as common as these symptoms are, it can be hard to tell what exactly is causing your congestion.
With the changing seasons in the Chicagoland area, your symptoms might be allergies. We asked UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Medical Group’s family medicine physician, Rakhshanda M. Munir, MD, to explain the differences.
“Allergies aren’t caused by a virus or bacteria,” says Dr. Munir. Instead, allergy attacks are caused when your immune system overreacts to an allergen like pollen, pet dander or dust mites. Your body releases too many histamines, which cause symptoms such as:
- Coughing
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Watery eyes
Allergies are even more common than colds, and almost a third of American adults and kids have at least one type of allergy, including seasonal ones, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Munir explains, “Seasonal allergies occur when allergens are present at certain times of the year, like trees during the springtime, grass in the summer and ragweed in autumn. Some people are also sensitive to environmental allergens, such as dust, mold or animal dander, which are present year-round.”
Easing your seasonal allergies starts with avoiding contact with allergens as much as possible, Dr. Munir says. For instance, limit your time outside when pollen counts are high. Over-the-counter allergy medications and nasal sprays can help, too.
How Can I Tell if It’s Allergies, a Cold or COVID-19?
“Allergies, colds and COVID-19 may be caused by different sources, but their symptoms are similar,” says Dr. Munir.
This handy list can help you tell the difference:
You might have allergies if:
- Mucus is clear
- Symptoms include itchy eyes, rashes, nasal congestion or sneezing
- Symptoms last longer than 10 days (with no fever)
- Symptoms worsen during certain times of year, after being outside or when leaving windows open
- You notice “allergy shiners” (dark undereye circles)
You might have a cold if:
- Symptoms last all day long and are worse in the morning and at night
- You begin to feel better after seven to 10 days
- Your symptoms include fatigue, body aches, fever and a sore throat
COVID-19, caused by coronavirus variants, may cause symptoms that are similar to allergies and colds, but there are notable differences, and symptom severity varies from person to person:
- COVID-19 symptoms typically develop between two and five days after a person is exposed to a coronavirus variant and last a few days to a few weeks.
- Common COVID-19 symptoms include dry cough, fatigue, fever, sore throat, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, a rash on the skin, or discoloration of the fingers or toes.
- Serious COVID-19 symptoms include chest pain or pressure, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
We’re here to help you know what to do if you’re concerned about symptoms. For serious ones like difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, seek immediate medical attention.
We’re Here to Help
Rakhshanda M. Munir, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician who specializes in preventive care and is fluent in Bengali and English. She sees children, adolescents, adults and older adults and is now accepting new patients at her Carol Stream office. Call 630-458-5300 for more information or to schedule an appointment.