Scott & White Health Plan

Is it A Cold, the Flu or Allergies - How Can You Tell?
by Gel Detrick, QI Coordinator

You live in Central Texas, it's Spring, and you have the sniffles. Your throat is sore and you have a headache. Do you have a cold, the flu, or is it allergies? You may think you have the flu when actually you're suffering from a heavy cold, or you may just have spent too much time in your garden. How can you tell the difference?

People often say "I have a cold, or maybe the flu" when they are really two different things. The flu is generally a lot more serious than the common cold and can sometimes even be fatal. In fact, the flu kills over 20,000 Americans each year. One of the main differences between a cold and the flu is how quickly you get sick. Generally it takes 3 to 4 days for a cold to develop, and the symptoms last for about a week. The flu, on the other hand, develops rapidly with symptoms sometimes lasting as long as two weeks. The easiest way to tell if it is a cold or flu? If you are sneezing, have a runny nose and your throat is scratchy, you probably have a cold. If you have a fever, body aches, and overall tiredness, it may be the flu.

Allergy symptoms often feel like those of a cold, so it is easy to confuse them in the beginning. But, if the symptoms continue, and/or get worse when you are outside or around certain pets, dust or mold, it is more likely to be allergies. Allergies tend to come and go, based on the seasons. They are generally worse in spring and fall whereas colds, as a rule, are more frequent in the winter months.

The bad news about colds - if it's your turn to catch a cold, it's your turn. There are some things you can do to prevent it, but a cold is spread by air, so it is difficult to avoid a cold completely. The average American gets at least two colds each year. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends several tips for preventing a cold:

• Wash hands often, if possible, avoid people with a cold
• Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw it away.
• Try not to rub your eyes, nose, or mouth - the virus can enter your body this way.
• Eat a balanced diet, get enough rest and exercise.

Colds usually get better in a few days, so if you catch cold, the best thing to do is stay warm, get rest, drink plenty of fluids, and wait it out. Over-the-counter medications may help the symptoms a little, but they will not get you over the cold any quicker.

Flu is usually a self limiting illness, but symptoms can be severe. Each year more than 100,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications such as pneumonia. Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in America, according to the American Lung Association. It is important to get proper medical attention if you think you may have the flu. Generally, the flu season begins around November and runs through March. A good preventive measure is the flu shot.

Seasonal allergies affect more than 35 million people in the United States. Unlike a cold, you cannot "catch" an allergy. It is the body's reaction to allergens such as grass and dust that enter the body through the respiratory tract. Some preventive measures you can take to control allergies are:

• Wash you bedding in hot water weekly.
• Eliminate carpeting if possible.
• Don't have pets inside the home, if possible. If you have house pets, keep them off the furniture.
• Bathe your pets regularly.
• Use a bagless vacuum cleaner if possible.
• Use an air cleaner or purifier.

There are also many over the counter drugs available such as antihistamines, decongestants, or nasal sprays, but the best way to get your allergies under control is to discuss your treatment with your doctor.

So, are you suffering from a cold, the flu, or do you have allergies? Below is a short list of the symptoms for each. If you are still not sure, check with your primary care physician.