Allergy Symptons and Cold Symptons

Is it a cold or is it allergies?

It’s that time of year here in beautiful Northern Virginia, the weather has finally turned the corner towards spring and summer, but your nose is running and you’re sneezing.  Do you have a seasonal allergies or a cold, what should you do about it and should you come in to see us at Weaver Wellness Care?

James Steckelberg MD at the Mayo Clinic put together this great table to compare symptoms:

You’ve determined that you have a cold, what now?  Make a quick trip to your local pharmacy and get some over the counter medications:  decongestant for nasal congestion, guaifenesin for lots of mucous, cough syrup for a cough, ibuprofen for general aches and pains and some honey for a sore throat.  If your symptoms don’t respond or you feel worse, or you’re running a fever, (a temperature > 100.4), come see us at Weaver Wellness Care.

If you think it’s seasonal allergies, try one of the antihistamines, Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra or the newly off prescription Xyzal.  Remember that you don’t need brand name, the store brand versions are usually just as effective as the brand names but you may have to find the one that works best for you.

Either allergies or a cold can lead to a sinus infection in about 10% of cases, so if you keep feeling poorly, get worse, or have that fever I mentioned above, come see us.  If you have a sore throat that’s not improving, come see us.

Either way, have a happy and healthy spring from all of us at Weaver Wellness Care!

For more information about allergies, check out this link:  https://www.thecut.com/2018/03/allergy-season-2018-when-it-starts-and-how-to-treat-it.html

Author

Janice Speer, FNP-BC