Today’s Triple Threat Match: Cold vs Flu vs Allergy

Which is it, really?

You feel tired, lousy, and heavy. You’re also suffering from a sore throat, sneezing, and the sniffles. What could it be? Is it a cold, allergy, or flu? It can be challenging to tell them apart because they share several signs and symptoms. Learning how to differentiate them from one another will help you select the best treatment.

1. An allergy or an allergic reaction occurs when your immune system overreacts or gives an inappropriate response to something harmless like pollen, dust, or even food. Other less common allergens include mould spores and waste (poop) of cockroaches. Your body goes into complete battle mode when it encounters an allergen. It tries to eliminate or fight off what it perceives as a threat. There are different types of allergies. For this article, we’ll be focusing on allergic rhinitis.
   
   Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is an allergic reaction to minute particles in the air called allergens. When you inhale these allergens through your nose or even mouth, your body reacts by releasing a chemical called histamine. Allergic rhinitis isn’t contagious like the common cold or flu.
   Allergic rhinitis may be seasonal or perennial. Perennial allergies can occur year-round. They’re secondary to irritants that are almost always around you, such as dust mites, cockroaches (and their poop), and pet dander. On the other hand, seasonal allergies happen in the early autumn, spring, and summer. This coincides with the time trees and weeds bloom, and pollen counts are increasing. You’re more prone to develop allergic rhinitis if you have a family member or parent with a history of allergies. Also, people with eczema and asthma are more likely to have allergic rhinitis.



2. A cold is a viral infection of your upper respiratory tract that includes your nose, sinuses, throat, and windpipe (trachea). You’ll be surprised to know that more than 200 different viruses can cause the common cold. The rhinovirus causes most colds. There’s no specific cure for a cold, but it usually runs its course in seven to ten days. Infectious rhinitis or viral rhinitis are medical terms for the common cold.
   Why is it called the common cold? Is it because it’s that common? Yes. It’s widespread, and you’ll most probably experience more colds in your life than any other disease. A typical adult catches two to three colds per year. Children tend to catch a cold four or more times a year.



3. The flu (short for influenza) is a respiratory infection caused by a virus. Influenza happens most often during the cold season or winter months. In Australia and New Zealand, that would usually be from April to October (with a peak in August). It’s essential to point out that while the flu spreads every year, the timing, the length of the season, and its severity varies from one year to the next. It quickly spreads from person to person.

All of the above conditions affect your respiratory system, making it difficult for you to breathe. But you’ll be glad to hear that each condition has key signs and symptoms that set them apart. The table below can serve as a rough guide to differentiate the three. There are exceptions, of course.

So, which one do you think you have? Below are some more helpful clues.

Allergies can also present with watery, itchy eyes, which aren’t usually seen with a cold and flu. The allergy symptoms typically last as long as you’re exposed to the allergen. Flu and colds usually don’t last beyond two weeks.

Different viruses cause flu and colds. Viruses don’t cause allergies. More often than not, the signs and symptoms of flu are more severe than colds and allergies.

A WORD ON DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

Diagnostic tests are usually not indicated to differentiate between an allergy, cold or flu. But they do help every once in a while, especially for allergies.

Allergies. The diagnostic tests for allergies help the immunologists (also called allergists) to identify the cause of your allergy. So then you can stay away from it. These tests include the following:

1. Skin tests are the most popular allergy tests. They determine if you have antibodies to specific triggers or allergens such as animal dander, pollens, and food. First, a tiny amount of allergen is placed on your skin. The area is then scratched or pricked. A raised bump (similar to a bug or mosquito bite) appears after approximately 15 minutes if you're allergic to the trigger. The results are available as soon as testing is finished. A more sensitive skin test is the intradermal test which injects a small amount of the allergen just beneath your skin.
2. Blood tests for an allergy measure antibodies to specific allergens in the blood. They’re often utilised If skin tests can’t be done because of a particular skin condition or if you’ve had a recent severe allergic reaction. These tests cost more, and the results take longer to come out. Examples of these blood tests are ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and RAST (radioallergosorbent test).
3. Challenge test includes eating or breathing in a small amount of an allergen. You are then monitored and observed closely for an allergic response. This test is often done to test for drug or food allergies.




Colds. The diagnosis of the common cold is generally made presumptively and clinically, without the use of diagnostic tests. If push comes to shove, a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) is available but is expensive and reserved for complicated cases.

Flu. The most common test for influenza is the rapid influenza antigen test. It can provide a result in under half an hour. Other tests include rapid molecular assays and RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction). Your need for a flu test will depend on your risk factors and symptoms. Risk factors include extremes of age (> 65, < 5), pregnancy, and if you have a weakened immune system.

Generally speaking, your doctor will not request a diagnostic test to differentiate between these three medical conditions.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR DOCTOR – TREATMENT ADVICE AND WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

Your doctor’s advice for an allergy (allergic rhinitis), cold, or flu is generally the same, with a few exceptions (see below). Most people with a cold or flu who are otherwise healthy don’t need to take certain drugs or treatment. Your doctor will recommend the following:

1. Get plenty of sleep and rest. We’re talking real sleep and rest here, with eyes closed and not waiting for the next gossip on Facebook (oops, Meta), Instagram or Twitter on your smartphone.


2. Drink lots of water. Other fluids like herbal teas can also help. Fluids keep your nose and throat moist. It also makes mucus less sticky and easier to expel. Alcohol, caffeine, and energy drinks should be avoided because of their diuretic and drying effects as well as their sugar content. Also, eat a light, well-balanced diet.



3. Medications like paracetamol, aspirin, or acetaminophen for fever (if you have one) and also to relieve a headache and body aches. However, DON’T give aspirin to adolescents and children with fever. This is because giving aspirin in these age groups may be associated with Reye’s syndrome. It’s a rare disorder that causes liver and brain damage.
   If you’re seriously sick from the flu, your doctor might prescribe an antiviral drug for you. Oseltamivir phosphate, zanamivir, peramivir, and baloxavir are examples of antiviral drugs indicated for the flu.



4. Be anti-antibiotics. If you have the flu or cold, it’s vital to note that antibiotics have no effect on viral infections. Antibiotics can treat infections caused by bacteria like skin infections, strep throat, or a bacterial sinus infection. The overuse of antibiotics can create antibiotic resistance.



Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria become invulnerable or invincible to antibiotics, making them challenging to treat in the future. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics cause antibiotic-resistant bacteria or superbugs to emerge. If more of them appear, we won’t have enough effective antibiotics to treat or cure bacterial infections. The use of antibiotics for the flu is only justified when you have associated complications (superimposed bacterial infections) like sinus infections, ear infections, and bacterial pneumonia.

ADDITIONALLY, TREATMENT FOR A COLD MAY CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Decongestants. Drugs like phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are suited to reduce nasal stuffiness.
2. Antihistamines like diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine can stop a runny nose and sneezing.
3. Cough suppressants like codeine and dextromethorphan decrease coughing.
4. Guaifenesin is an example of an expectorant to loosen mucus.

Treatment for an allergy, especially allergic rhinitis, is a bit different from a cold and flu. The primary treatment and prevention for allergic rhinitis is to avoid allergens. Like the common cold (infectious rhinitis), you may also need the aforementioned medications. Additional medications include the following:

1. Corticosteroid nasal sprays to decrease inflammation and relieve symptoms.
2. Leukotriene inhibitors like montelukast
3. Immunotherapy, where the treatment helps your body adapt and learn to tolerate allergens.

FOR THE THREE MEDICAL CONDITIONS, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

1. If your symptoms make it hard for you to get a good night’s sleep or get in the way of your daily life.
2. High fever (> 38.5℃)
3. Ear pain
4. Your symptoms last more than ten days
5. Chest pain
6. Difficulty breathing
7. You’re already feeling better, and then you get sick again. You may have developed a complication.

SOME NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR THESE THREE INCLUDE:

Allergies

1. Saline nasal rinse to clean allergens from the sinuses after exposure. This can also be helpful for a cold to clear stuffy sinuses.
2. Herbal allergy support to help your body produce a healthy immune response rather than an exaggerated one.
3. Probiotics and prebiotics to restore gut balance because more than 70% of the immune cells are in the gut.

Cold & Flu

1. Immune supporting vitamins and minerals: vitamins A, C, D, selenium and zinc.
2. Herbs that support a healthy immune response such as echinacea and elderberry, and herbs with natural antimicrobial and antiviral properties including olive leaf, garlic, pau d’arco
3. Propolis also provides natural antiviral support, while Manuka honey has natural antibacterial and healing properties.
4. Herbal teas are a great way to stay hydrated and some such as linden flowers help to support when a fever is present. Ginger, lemon and honey help to soothe a sore or dry throat.
5. Other immune supporting products include colloidal silver liquid and probiotics.

Prevention

1. Wash your hands as often as you can, especially after touching your pets. Also, keep them off the bed and couch. As much as possible, don’t touch your face. Colds can spread from one infected person to another through the air and close personal contact. Many experts believe the flu viruses are transmitted mainly by droplets made when people with the flu talk, cough, or sneeze. If they land on the noses or mouths of nearby people, they can get infected.
2. Wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes from pollen when you go outside. Don’t forget to change your clothes when you come inside your house. Close the windows of your car and home during the times when pollen counts are higher (spring, summer, early autumn).
3. Use dust mite covers to enclose pillows and mattresses.
4. People with allergic rhinitis and the common cold have a higher risk of sinus and ear infections. It can also make it hard for you to sleep at night, making it exhausting and you feel tired the next day.
5. Disinfect high touch surfaces. Viruses and irritants can remain on them for a long time.
6. The natural immune support mentioned above can also be taken to help support the body’s natural immune response for prevention.