- In this Article
- Allergy or cold?
- Tool: Check your symptoms
- Two patients' stories
- Allergy shots
- Kids with allergies
- Behind the survey
Are you sure it's an allergy?
Last reviewed: March 2010
Proper allergy treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis. But distinguishing between allergies and other ailments can be hard. For example, all the conditions below can cause sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose. To identify your ailment, focus on the hallmark symptoms of each as well as the other characteristics that can help differentiate the diseases.
| Hallmark symptoms | Other possible symptoms | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allergies |
 Itchy eyes or nose Scratchy or ticklishthroat Watery nasal discharge Watery eyes
|
Cough Headache Fatigue
|
Usually weeks to months. Symptoms worsen when exposed to offending substances or at certain times of the year.
|
| Cold |
Sore throat Hacking cough Watery to thick cloudy
or white nasal discharge
|
Low-grade fever Mild fatigue and body
aches
|
3 days to 2 weeks
|
| Flu |
Fever of 102º F
(39º C) or higher Headache Exhaustion Extreme body aches
|
Sore throat Dry, hacking cough
|
2 to 5 days for initial severe symptoms; cough and fatigue can linger 2 to 3 weeks longer
|
| Sinusitis |
Pain or pressure in the
face, eyes, or upper teeth Thick, discolored nasal
discharge Cold symptoms that
last 10 days or more
|
Headache Sore throat Fever Cough, especially at
night Fatigue
|
Up to 12 weeks; less-common chronic form can linger much longer
|
| Bronchitis |
Cold-like symptoms that develop into a deep, painful cough that produces yellow or green phlegm. Often worse at night.
|
Fever up to 102º F Wheezing "Rattling" in chest Chest is sore or
constricted
|
3 to 5 days for fever and most other symptoms; cough may continue for several weeks
|
Source: Consumer Reports On Health, September 2007
