Is It a Cold or Allergies?
With allergy season in full swing and with the cold and flu season winding down, many people aren’t sure if they are experiencing a cold or seasonal allergies. Here are some key indicators to help you better understand your body and what it is telling you!
What is a Cold?
The common cold is caused by a virus and spreads by a sick person coughing or sneezing and releasing droplets into the air. Symptoms may vary from person to person, but fall into the same general categories:
- Coughing and sneezing
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache or even fever
- Fatigue
Colds may seem harmless, but they can develop into other illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or sinus infection.
What are Allergies?
Allergies occur when your body has an adverse reaction to certain substances. During the spring and summer months, many are affected by seasonal allergies – reactions to grass, pollen, ragweed, and so on. Allergies usually have milder symptoms such as:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Headache
- Itchy and watery/dry eyes
- Runny or stuffy nose
Telling the Difference
While a cold and allergies are very similar, the main difference is that you are more likely to feel fatigue, aches and pains, sore throat, and fever with a cold. With seasonal allergies, you are most likely to have itchy or dry eyes, wheezing, and hives – all a result of reactions to allergens, not a virus.
Regardless of symptoms, if you ever have any concerns, do not hesitate to stop by the clinic or give us a call so we can help you!
Contact South Coast Medical if You’re Feeling Sick
We want to make sure your health is optimized at all times. We also want to be mindful that COVID-19 still has a presence here in Southern California and make sure that our patients stay healthy and safe.
If you are not feeling well and would like to get the Sofia 2 Rapid COVID-19 test, please call us at (949) 360-1069 to schedule an appointment.
If you would like to set up an in-person or telemedicine visit, our hours of operation are:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority. We are located in Aliso Viejo, California, and we offer a wide range of services such as urgent and primary care, sports medicine, and x-rays. If you need help with any of these services, please contact us at (949) 389- 8968. We appreciate the trust our patients have in us and look forward to being of service to you.
