If you have asthma, catching a cold may worsen or trigger your symptoms. What can help? Here are the ones you need to pay attention to, and how to know if you may have an anxiety disorder. A sinus infection, or sinusitis, can occur in the wake of a cold or with allergies. It’s important to see a doctor if you have any symptoms after returning from a trip abroad. Symptoms might last longer in people who smoke. Democratic Republic of the Congo | Français, State of Vatican City (Holy See) | Italiano, the same reason flu season occurs in the winter. It's usually harmless, although it might not feel that way. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? If you're feeling under the weather, you're not alone. Type at least three characters to start auto complete. Use escape to clear. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Health.com may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. If symptoms don't improve, see your doctor. Do echinacea and vitamin C really help a cold? Those who know they have allergies need to take particular care in the spring. 9 Ways to Tell the Difference. RELATED: 15 Reasons You're Short of Breath. Health.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. In the spring, seasonal sniffing can also come from another culprit: allergies. If you have heart disease, take extra care to avoid catching a cold. Use up and down arrows to change selection. Support WHO’s work to track the spread; to ensure patients get care and frontline workers get supplies; and to accelerate efforts to develop vaccines, tests, and treatments. Is Your Doctor Gaslighting You? A few telltale signs can help you tell them apart. Check out our guide to learn more about the common cold — from symptoms and stages. For example, Dr. Lai Becker points out that strep causes a sore throat so bad it’s difficult to swallow, but typically won’t cause pain throughout the body. Offers may be subject to change without notice. We're loving their inspirational, body-positive messages. Washing your hands. If you notice your symptoms are worse after spending time outside or with a pet, or they tend to come and go with a certain season, you likely have allergies. All rights reserved. ", MORE ON WEATHER.COM: 26 Healthy Foods Swaps to Try Now, Cold or Flu? (MORE: The Best Foods for Your Immune System). If your immune system is weakened from HIV/AIDS, you need to guard against colds and flus - which can lead to more serious illnesses. RELATED: 10 Reasons You Have a Sore Throat. How can you tell the difference between a common cold and allergies? Which City Is the Worst for Fall Allergies This Year? While cold symptoms affect the whole upper respiratory system, other illnesses are characterized by intense symptoms in one place. RELATED: How to Stop a Cold in Its Tracks. RELATED: How to Pick an Over-the-Counter Cold Remedy. How to handle a physician who doubts or dismisses your symptoms. The common cold tends to clear up on its own in three to four days, says Melisa Lai Becker, MD, site chief of emergency medicine at Cambridge Health Alliance. Learn more about colds in children: prevention, symptoms, treatments, and when to call the doctor. Not only can pollen spark miserable seasonal symptoms, but also allergies leave individuals more likely to catch a cold virus because their immune system is already under attack. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. "Left untreated, it can cause rheumatic fever and lead to serious heart problems. "Strep throat is one thing you really want to distinguish from a cold," she says. A common cold can aggravate some chronic medical conditions. The common cold is usually no cause for concern, but it can sometimes lead to more serious issues. So it's still the virus, not the cold air, that's causing you to fall ill. "There have been a lot of studies done, but really there's still no evidence to show that it's the cold weather itself that's making us sick," Dr. Garg said. Call a doctor or hospital right away if you have one or more of these COVID-19 symptoms: Trouble breathing Constant pain or pressure in your chest Bluish lips or face Sudden confusion Recent international travel is a red flag for doctors because it could mean you have a less-conventional infection they wouldn’t have normally considered, explains Stella Safo, MD, an internist at Mount Sinai Hospital who specializes in infectious diseases. To pinpoint the exact cause, keep track of your symptom history and see if you notice any trends; it could mean you’re allergic to something or have seasonal allergies. These symptoms shouldn’t be ignored, since breathing trouble could be a sign of bronchitis or pneumonia, while chest pain, tightness, and sudden shortness of breath could signal a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot blockage in the lungs). Here's why a stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis can be so frightening. Real vs. When is it time to get some advice from a pro? Learns how to prevent more serious health problems if you have a cold. The cold virus can live on human skin for at least two hours, Dr. Garg said. It’s important to get medical attention if you’re experiencing these symptoms consistently, as they can cause you to become dehydrated, says Dr. Mysore. ", RELATED: What to Do When You Have a Fever. 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