While colds and allergies have similarities, there are also key differences. According to the National Institutes of Health, cold sufferers are most contagious at the start of the cold, for the first two or three days. Symptoms may persist, but contagiousness is usually gone by day seven. Nasal viruses are spread through the air by sneezing and via hands by wiping the nose and touching another person's hand or an inanimate object. Allergies, on the other hand, are not contagious. Finding out if the symptoms are due to a cold or allergy is also an important step in zeroing in on an effective treatment.
Causes
A cold occurs when the virus enters the body through an opening such as the nose.
Allergies are caused by substances called "allergens," which cause an allergic reaction. Airborne allergens result in nasal symptoms. Allergens include substances such as pollen, mold, the dander from pets or dust.
Symptoms
According to the National Institutes of Health, a person may have either a cold or allergy if he has a runny nose or a stuffed-up nose accompanied by sneezing and feeling tired. Beyond these symptoms, colds and allergies have unique signs.
A cough is found more commonly in a cold than in allergies, as is a sore throat. A cold also may make an individual feel achy while an allergy never brings on such distress. Itchy eyes, on the other hand, are a telltale sign of allergy and are rarely seen in a cold. Fever may add to the distress of a cold virus but does not occur in an allergic reaction.
The good news for cold sufferers is that the discomfort and symptoms last only three to 14 days. Allergies can last for weeks, or until the cause itself disappears.
Treatments
Antihistamines and decongestants relieve cold and allergy symptoms such as runny nose and nasal stuffiness. Depending on the strength required, these medications are available over-the-counter or by prescription. Nonsteroid anti-inflammatories such as acetomenophine may relieve the aches and pains that accompany a cold.
Allergy sufferers may also benefit from prescription steroid nasal sprays, which reduce the inflammation in the nose that occurs when the allergen is inhaled. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, persons who continue to suffer despite oral or nasal medication may find relief through allergy shots. These injections, given in a doctor's office, expose the person to the allergen. Antibodies develop over time, boosting the ability to fight the allergen and alleviating the allergic response.
Complications
A cold or allergy can result in sinusitis, which is a bacterial or viral infection of the thick mucus accumulation. Symptoms range from headache and pain in the teeth or area surrounding the nose to fever and foul breath. In a cold virus, the accumulation of mucus may also lead to a middle ear infection, which causes an earache. Asthma is inflammation in the airways in the lung, and it can be a medical emergency because breathing becomes difficult.
Seeking Medical Attention
Medical attention is advised if complications of a cold virus or allergy occur. The first step to feeling better is getting an accurate diagnosis.
