When it comes to someone that does not feel good, it can difficult to determine what is happening and what the diagnosis really is. There are times when you think you have a cold when you could just be suffering from allergies or it could be something more serious such as sinusitis. They are each different and require treatment specific to the symptoms that come from the illness. The biggest problem is that there are many people that can’t tell the difference between the these ailments and need some guidance. There are some easy to answer questions that can help guide you to the correct diagnosis. Depending on what you are suffering from you can then determine what doctor you need to see and when.
How Long Have You Been Feeling Sick?: When you are sick with allergies or a cold the symptoms can be fairly similar. You might have a stuffy nose, headache, sore throat and a cough. All of these symptoms are the same with allergies as well as a cold but they don’t last the same amount of time. Allergies are usually a problem during a specific season and these symptoms can continue for several months. They may subside for a day or two but tend to be an issue for a long period of time. When it comes to a cold it can be tricky to figure out the problem because a cough can last for up to a month. Where you can check off that it is a cold and not allergies is with your nasal decongestion. If you notice that your nasal passages are cleared after about 14 days you most likely have a cold.
Are You Suffering With a Fever?: You allergies have several symptoms that are similar to a cold but there is one that is not found in allergies. If you check your temperature and see that you have a fever you are most likely suffering from a cold. The cold is due to a virus that your body will try and fight off and that is why a fever is common with a cold.
How Does Your Throat Feel?: A cold is a virus that can have many levels of severity. During a cold the lining of your throat is usually red, irritated and potentially covered with puss pockets. That makes your throat feel sore and painful when you swallow. When it comes to an attack of allergies a sore throat is minimal if not nonexistent because there is not an infection in the throat.
Are Your Eyes Watery & Itchy?: If you have an attack of allergies you are sure to have some itching when it comes to your eyes. Itching and watering eyes are a sure sign that allergies are under way and a cold is not likely. If you have red eyes that are filled with discharge you could have pinkeye which is treatable and not related to allergies.
It should be noted that acute bacterial sinusitis is a bacterial infection of the sinus cavities. While it is most often preceded by a cold or allergy attack, unlike these ailments, bacterial sinusitis requires a physician’s diagnosis and treatment. This is necessary to prevent future complications. Contact ENT Specialists for all your ears, nose and throat concerns.
