Is it an Allergy or a Cold?

Allergy and cold symptoms are often confused. In fact, allergy symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of common colds, and so it is easy to mistake one for the other. The best way to determine if your “nagging cold” is actually an allergy is to talk to your doctor.

Below is a list of differences between allergy and cold symptoms.

	Symptom	Allergy		Cold
	Duration	Weeks or months		About a week
	Nasal discharge	Clear and thin		Thick, yellow or green
	Cough	Rare		Dry or hacking
	Sneezing	Frequent, brings no relief		Brings relief
	Fever	No		Sometimes
	Muscle aches	No		Sometimes
	Change of location	May bring relief		No benefits
	Contagious	No		Yes
	Nasal congestion	Sometimes		Yes

Types of Allergies

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