Sniffles, sneezing and cough? How to tell if it's a simple allergy rather than The Virus (2024)

Sniffles, sneezing and cough? How to tell if it's a simple allergy rather than The Virus (1)

David King, The University of Queensland

We’re told to stay home if we feel unwell during the COVID-19 pandemic. But what if your sniffles, sore throat or cough aren’t infectious? What if they’re caused by hayfever or another allergic reaction? You may be doing a lot more isolating than you need to.

Although it can sometimes be challenging, there are ways to tell apart respiratory symptoms caused by a virus and those caused by an allergy. This approach may help prevent Australia’s COVID-19 testing capacity from being overwhelmed.

Read more: Health Check: what's the right way to blow your nose?

What causes hayfever?

Around one in five (21%) of Australians suffer seasonal allergic rhinitis – more commonly known as hayfever. If each of these experiences a few episodes of hayfever annually, that would require between 10 million and 20 million COVID-19 tests to exclude infectious causes from allergies alone.

Hayfever has many of the same symptoms as viral respiratory infections, such as colds and mild flu-like illnesses, as well as COVID-19. This is because rhinitis refers to inflammation of the nose, which has many causes.

Hayfever is caused by your nose and/or eyes coming into contact with microscopic allergens in the environment, such as pollens (from grasses, weeds or trees), dust mites, moulds and animal hair.

Your immune system identifies these airborne substances as harmful and produces antibodies against them. The next time you come into contact with them, these antibodies signal your immune system to release chemicals such as histamine into your bloodstream, causing the inflammation that leads to hayfever symptoms.

Hayfever traditionally has a seasonal spike in late winter and spring, when pollen counts are highest from flowering trees and grass seeds.

But in many areas of Australia, there may be more hayfever in autumn, due to two common sources of allergies: moulds, and an autumn spike in indoor dust mites.

A warming climate has also been linked with increased levels of pollens and environmental allergens, and a rise in asthma and hayfever severity.

What are the symptoms?

Whether you have seasonal hayfever, longer-term perennial or vasomotor rhinitis), or a viral infection, you’re likely to have similar cold and flu-like symptoms.

You’ll have either a runny or stuffy nose. Other symptoms include sore throat; sneezing; cough; post-nasal drip - nasal mucus going down the back of your throat; and fatigue.

But there are two classic hayfever symptoms that can help you tell allergies and viruses apart. Hayfever can cause you to have an itchy nose or throat; and when it’s more severe it can cause swollen, blue-coloured skin under the eyes (called allergic shiners).

Sniffles, sneezing and cough? How to tell if it's a simple allergy rather than The Virus (2)

Can we tell them apart?

Fever, sore muscles or muscle weakness

Hayfever, despite its name, does not cause increased body temperature. Flu-like illnesses do cause fever, and sore muscles (myalgia), malaise and fatigue.

Allergies such as hayfever may cause a slight malaise without the other symptoms, probably due to a stuffy nose and poor sleep.

Snoring, dark circles under the eyes and sleep

The nasal congestion from hayfever and other types of rhinitis often increases the potential to snore during sleep. And if you have those dark circles under the eyes, that’s likely down to chronic poor-quality sleep, as nasal congestion and snoring worsen.

Itchy nose and eyes, plus sneezing

An itchy nose and eyes are classic hayfever symptoms, as is intense, prolonged sneezing.

You can sneeze with a cold or flu, but usually only in the first few days of the infection.

Longer-lasting symptoms

Allergic reactions tend to come and go from day to day, or even from hour to hour, particularly if some environments are the source of the offending allergens. Perennial rhinitis can be present for weeks or months, far longer than any viral cold or flu.

It is rare for a cold to last more than a week, as the body has fought off the virus by that time. Exceptions to this are the cough and sinus symptoms that were triggered by the virus but persist for other reasons.

Antihistamines

If your nasal symptoms improve with antihistamine medication, then you likely have an allergy or hayfever. Antihistamines do not alleviate symptoms of the common cold.

However, if your allergic reaction is more severe, antihistamines alone, even in larger doses than stated on the packet, may be insufficient to fully control symptoms, and a variety of nasal sprays may have to be added to the treatment.

Read more: Coronavirus or just a common cold? What to do when your child gets sick this winter

Why do we need to differentiate viral from allergic causes?

In “normal” times we usually treat the symptoms of viral infections. However, amid the COVID-19 outbreak we need a clearer picture of what might be causing our symptoms so we get tested when it matters, and not for undiagnosed hayfever.

But it’s not easy to tell viral and allergic rhinitis apart. People with hayfever also get viral colds and flus, further complicating the picture.

If you think your symptoms may be due to allergy, it is safe to try a double dose of non-sedating antihistamine. Sedating antihistamines should be avoided in young children, and taken with caution in adults. If your symptoms improve significantly within an hour, your symptoms are likely hayfever or another allergic reaction.

However, if your symptoms are different to previous hayfever episodes, or your symptoms don’t improve after taking an antihistamine, that’s another matter. Stay at home until you can get tested for COVID-19.

Anyone with only partially treated and controlled hayfever will need to realise that your sniffles and sneezes are going to be distressing to your fellow commuter, diner or shopper. So you may need some medical assistance to more fully manage your allergic condition.Sniffles, sneezing and cough? How to tell if it's a simple allergy rather than The Virus (3)

David King, Senior Lecturer in General Practice, The University of Queensland

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Sniffles, sneezing and cough? How to tell if it's a simple allergy rather than The Virus (2024)

FAQs

Sniffles, sneezing and cough? How to tell if it's a simple allergy rather than The Virus? ›

Some symptoms of colds and allergic reactions are the same, such as a runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing. But there are differences. For example, people with seasonal allergies almost never have a sore throat or a cough. Viral infections, on the other hand, often do cause this symptom.

How to know if it's allergies or a virus? ›

For instance, you may experience a fever or body aches when you are sick with the flu or COVID-19, but never when you are only experiencing allergies. Similarly, fatigue, sore throat or chest discomfort are very rare with allergies, but common when sick with a cold, flu or COVID-19.

How to tell the difference between a common cold and allergies? ›

In summary, some of the key differences between allergies and a cold are in the consistency of mucus (thicker with a cold), the itchy/watery eyes (typically not present in a cold), the lack of a “trigger” (time of year, presence of pets) in a cold, and the duration (allergies last longer).

How to know if a cough is allergies? ›

A cough caused by allergies usually goes hand in hand with other allergy symptoms, such as sneezing; a runny or stuffy nose; itchy eyes, mouth or skin; and dark circles under the eyes. The cough is dry. An allergy-related cough usually doesn't bring up mucus. A dry cough is sometimes called a nonproductive cough.

What does an allergy cough sound like? ›

Dr Mayank explains, “Allergic cough is characterized by a loud barking sound with intensity and force. It is caused by an irritation in your airways which is triggered by elements like pollen, cigarette smoking, air pollution, chemical fumes, dust and such.”

Can allergies mimic upper respiratory infections? ›

Especially when allergy season hits, it can be difficult to know the difference between the signs of an upper respiratory infection and those of allergies. “There is a lot of overlap between allergy symptoms and viral infections,” says Keith Brenner, M.D., chief of Pulmonology at Hackensack University Medical Center.

What is the best medicine for allergy cough? ›

Over-the-counter antihistamines can provide relief from an allergy cough. These include fexofenadine (Allegra) and loratadine (Claritin), which can provide relief without making you feel tired.

Does clear snot mean allergies? ›

Clear drainage tends to be associated with early onset of a cold, seasonal allergies or nonallergic rhinitis. If it's allergies, that tends to be accompanied by itchiness, watery eyes and sneezing. Nonallergic rhinitis is a drippy nose that could have several causes, including exposure to irritants or hormone shifts.

Is post-nasal drip a cold or allergies? ›

Post-Nasal Drip vs the Common Cold

The common cold is caused by a viral infection and is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, body aches, and fatigue. Post-nasal drip, on the other hand, is not caused by an infection and is often a result of allergies or other irritants.

Am I sick or is it winter allergies? ›

Allergies make you itchy or have a tickle in your throat. You'll want to rub your eyes, or your nose. Cold and flu don't cause itching. Colds don't tend to have a fever, but flu does--also body aches in flu.

Which cough syrup is best for an allergic cough? ›

Cough syrups for allergic cough

Some of the most recommended cough syrups for allergic coughs are: Brompheniramine + Pseudoephedrine + Dextromethorphan (Bromfed): The combination of these active ingredients can help to reduce allergy symptoms, relieve congestion, and suppress coughs, respectively.

Why am I sneezing so much and have a runny nose? ›

A runny or stuffy nose with thin, clear fluid, accompanied by sneezing are common symptoms of a cold. A clear runny or stuffy nose and sneezing can also be seen in environmental allergies, which often also cause an itchy nose and itchy, watery, red or swollen eyes.

How can you tell the difference between an allergic cough and a viral cough? ›

Allergies vs. colds: A side-by-side look at the common signs
SymptomsAllergiesCold
CoughDry (typically)Hacking
Circles under eyesTypicalNever
Muscle pain or body achesRareCommon
Sore throatRareCommon
7 more rows

Why am I coughing so much but not sick? ›

While it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the problem that's triggering a chronic cough, the most common causes are tobacco use, postnasal drip, asthma and acid reflux. Fortunately, chronic cough typically disappears once the underlying problem is treated.

How many days does an allergic cough last? ›

The most significant distinction between common cold and allergy is — a cough due to a cold may not persist for more than 14 days; whereas, an allergy cough can last for months. Allergic cough can be draining to handle; hence, it is best to prevent it.

How to tell if it is allergies or something else? ›

What are some of the clues that you might have allergies versus a cold or something else? Early symptoms can be similar, though allergies can cause itchy eyes, which is less common in viral infections. Also, fevers tend to signify infections. Allergies tend not to produce fevers.

Can allergies turn into a viral infection? ›

Allergies don't cause infection but due to the inflammation, swelling and mucus that allergies can cause, this can cause mucus to get trapped in the sinuses and cause bacteria and viruses to grow,” Dr. Pero said. “This can result in sinus infections.”

What does allergy fatigue feel like? ›

It often feels like a deep, persistent weariness that doesn't dissipate even after a full night's sleep. Those suffering from allergy-related fatigue may find it difficult to concentrate, experience mental fog, and have reduced motivation for daily tasks.

Can allergies make you sick for days? ›

Your allergies will last as long as your allergen exposure. Once you're no longer around allergens, your symptoms should go away after a few hours. However, if you have inhalant allergies, your symptoms may last for several days or longer due to ongoing exposure to pets, dust mites and pollens.

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