Cold vs. allergy: how do I know the difference?
Symptoms | Allergy (Airborne) | Cold |
Stuffy or runny nose | Often | Often |
Sneezing | Often | Often |
Wheezing | Sometimes | Rarely, never |
Itchy eyes | Often | Rarely, never |
Fever | Never | Often |
Aches and pains | Never | Sometimes |
Weakness and fatigue | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Headache | Sometimes | Often |
Cough | Sometimes | Often |
Dizziness | Sometimes | Often |
Hoarseness | Sometimes | Often |
Recur at a certain time of year | Often | Rarely |
Need for antibiotics | No | No |
Warning time | Symptoms occur after exposure to allergen | Gets worse over several days |
How long it lasts? | As long as your child is exposed to the allergen | Usually three to 14 da ys |
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