05/12/2022
Is it a summer cold or allergy?
A summer cold is simply a common cold you catch during summertime. Some people may think you can only catch a cold during winter. Others might also mistake a summer cold for other issues, such as allergies. Contrary to widespread belief, it doesn’t have to be cold outside to catch a cold.
It may be difficult to tell whether you have a common cold or summer allergies. However, if you know the major differences between the two, telling one from the other can be easy:
1. You will have other symptoms: Colds and allergies share the traits of sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and an itchy or sore throat. But a cold will also include other symptoms like coughing, sweating, and fever.
2. Allergies last longer: If your symptoms persist longer than two weeks and do not go away, then you’re probably dealing with allergies.
3. Symptoms will fluctuate: If your symptoms change in severity — start mild, worsen, and then return to mild (or disappear altogether) — you are dealing with a cold. Allergies tend to be consistent and persistent.
4. Onset of symptoms is different: With colds, you will usually experience the onset of each individual symptom at separate times. With allergies, all of them will come on at once.
5. Symptoms change when you travel: If you travel from one type of region to another and symptoms improve (or get worse), it’s more likely that you have allergies.
6. Nasal discharge will be different: Since colds are infections, the mucus after blowing your nose will be thick and greenish or yellowish. With allergies, mucus will be translucent and usually thinner in consistency.
Reference:
https://www.healthline.com/health/summer-cold -symptoms-vs.-allergy-symptoms [cited 29 November 2022]