Plenty of people are feeling congested and run down lately. How do you tell whether it’s allergies, a cold, the flu, or something worse?
Dr. Markalain Dery is an Infectious Disease Specialist with LCMC Health and says seasonal allergies are the most likely culprit this time of year. “The symptoms (of allergies) tend to be repetitive. Sneezing, clear runny nose, itchy eyes, itchy nose or throat. If it happens year after year around the same time, that’s likely to be allergies,” Dr. Dery emphasizes.
While seasonal allergies can be frustrating for those who suffer from them, Dr. Dery stresses that they’re nothing to worry about from a medical sense.
“Allergies are really an immune function. A cold or flu … those are caused by viruses. That dust or pollen triggers an immune response much like as if your immune system saw a virus or bacteria. Your body thinks it’s an invader of some sort and acts accordingly. That’s why it can be hard to tease out the difference between cold, flu, or allergies,” he went on to note.
While seasonal allergies are not a medical emergency, Dr. Dery says everyone’s reactions can be different and can be severe for some. He recommends seeing a doctor if your symptoms persist or worsen.
It can be hard to tell why you're feeling under the weather this time of year
It can be hard to tell why you're feeling under the weather this time of year
