Cold, Flu, or Allergies: 10 Ways to Know

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Each year millions of school days and workdays are missed because of colds

and flu. How best to treat your condition depends on which is ailing you.

Because these illnesses share many of the same symptoms, they're sometimes

hard to tell apart, and allergies complicate the problem. Ragweed can

aggravate allergies in the fall, while indoor allergies, like pet and dust

allergies, abound in the winter. When sniffles, a stuffy nose, and coughing

begin, here are some tips to help you decide how to handle your symptoms:

Fever: Never with an allergy, always with the flu, sometimes with a cold.

Flu fevers usually last three to four days.

Headache: Common with the flu but not with allergies or colds.

General aches and pains: Often severe with the flu. Never occur with

allergies; only slight aches accompany a cold.

Fatigue and weakness: Common with the flu and can last up to three weeks.

Rare with colds and allergies.

Stuffy, runny nose: Common with allergies and colds; occasionally

accompanies the flu.

Sneezing: Common with allergies and colds; occasionally accompanies the flu.

 

Sore throat: Common with colds; occasionally accompanies allergies and the

flu.

Cough: Common with colds and the flu; rare with allergies.

Chest discomfort: Common with the flu. Mild to moderate with colds; rarely

occurs with allergies.

Last updated: May 2007