Seeking Medical Attention

Knowing the symptoms...

Is it a cold?

Here's how you can tell:

1. You have a runny nose with clear or lightly colored discharge.

2. You have a stuffy nose, watery eyes and sore throat that may be accompanied by a low-grade fever.

3. Your throat is more than itchy, it's sore.

4. Colds can last for about 7-10 days, and symptoms should start clearing up soon after that.

Is it allergies?

Here's how you can tell:

1. You have a runny nose with a clear discharge.

2. Your eyes are itchy and watery.

3. Your eyes may be swollen and puffed up.

4. You're frequently sneezing.

5. Your nasal and eye symptoms may last for a long time.

6. Your symptoms usually return on a regular schedule, usually in the spring or fall.

7. Allergies can last anywhere from a few weeks to all year-round.

Seek medical attention if you have:

1. A temperature over 101 degrees for more than 48 hours

2. A cough associated with pain in the chest

3. Shortness of breath which is different than a stuffy nose

4. Persistent sore throat, especially without the runny or stuffy nose typical of a cold

5. An extremely red throat

6. No improvement within 7 days

7. Severe headache with a fever

8. Worsening pain in one or both ears

9. Any chronic medical condition, such as asthma or diabetes, which my complicate a cold

Antihistamines - These medications block the action of histamines and thus prevents or alleviates allergy symptoms.  Examples would be Tavist, Dimetapp, Actifed, and Benadryl.

Decongestants - These work by shrinking swollen blood vessels in your nasal membranes, which reduces congestion making breathing easier.  An example would be Sudafed.  They are often used in combination with an antihistamine, e.g. Tavist-D.