Allergies vs. a Cold. Allergies are caused by weather, molds, and pollens and have a lower grade fever than colds or viruses. If people notice that they are getting cold symptoms at a time when there is a...
If people notice that they are getting cold symptoms at a time when there is a high pollen count, it could be an allergy. It is unlikely that you would get a cold every September or every January, so the seasonality of symptoms tells you it could be an allergy. Newspapers and TV weather shows offer information about mold counts and pollen counts.
If you catch a real cold you'll have a fever between 101-103 degrees Fahrenheit. The hallmark of a virus is a high fever and the pushing of mucus forward with dribbles, sniffs, and sneezes. Allergy mucus drains down the back of the throat. Allergies can have a fever connected with them but it is a very low-grade fever. Everybody has heard the phrase hay fever or cedar fever. These fevers are connected with allergies and never get above 100 or 101. Viruses last anywhere from 3-7 days and that's it. If you have symptoms that last for weeks, it's probably an allergy.
