When the first symptoms appear in the spring, it is difficult to tell if it is the flu / cold or allergies.
"Allergies and a disease both activate the immune system, to respond to a foreign substance, to protect the body," says DR. Sanjev Jain, certified physician.
When the immune system is "activated", allergies and an infection can give you the same symptoms, runny nose, cough, etc. "Both can mix together and interfere with normal sleep."
But what is the difference between having an allergy and an illness?
The biggest difference between the two is that you can not give your allergies to anyone, but you can "stick" the cold to someone.
"Allergies are not contagious and, although they are annoying, they are usually harmless. On the other hand, most viruses and bacterial diseases are contagious.
To find out which one you have, pay attention to some key symptoms.
"If you have a fever or swollen lymph nodes, it is likely to be an infection. You should also see the period in which the symptoms appear. Allergies come at the same time each year and get worse when you are exposed to an allergen (for example: when you are in a park around a freshly cut grass, or exposed to a dog, a cat.
Also pay attention to the duration of the symptoms. Allergies will last for several months, while upper respiratory infections usually do not last for more than a week or two.
If you have itchy or watery eyes, clear mucus, runny nose for more than a week and your symptoms are persistent every day, you are likely to be dealing with allergies. Allergy symptoms generally stay the same, while cold symptoms tend to intensify and peak before they finally subside.
Can allergies make you sick?
When irritants enter your nasal passages, call it the "open season" for cold viruses. You produce more mucus, your sinuses fill and become blocked with fluid, creating an ideal environment for viruses and bacteria to settle and cause infections. Any "stressor" in the body that activates the immune system can make you more susceptible to real diseases.
The symptoms of untreated allergy can create constant stress in the body, which causes the immune system to prioritize fighting the foreign allergen, rather than recognizing and fighting viruses and bacteria that enter the body. In other words, allergies take the body away from "real enemies" - viruses and bacteria that can make you sick, which can make you much more susceptible to developing an actual illness.
Some quick tips from doctors: Drink plenty of water, wash your hands, sleep well and get enough. For any concerns, consult your doctor.
Source: Bustle
