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Cold or Allergy? Monsoon Runny Nose, Sneezing? Doctor Explains How to Tell the Difference!
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News18•22-09-2026, 17:31
Cold or Allergy? Monsoon Runny Nose, Sneezing? Doctor Explains How to Tell the Difference!
- •Monsoon symptoms like runny nose and sneezing might be allergic rhinitis, says Dr. Sayan Mukherjee.
- •Colds can cause fever and body aches, but allergies typically do not involve fever.
- •Allergies cause itching in the eyes, nose, or throat, which is uncommon with a regular cold.
- •A common cold usually resolves in 7-10 days; if it persists over two weeks or recurs, it might be an allergy.
- •Allergy symptoms are environment-dependent, triggered by specific rooms or waking up on humid mornings.
- •Cold discharge can be thick and yellowish, while allergic rhinitis involves thin, watery discharge and frequent nasal congestion.
Key Questions Answered
According to Dr. Sayan Mukherjee, colds and allergies can be distinguished by how they start, the presence of fever or itching, duration, environmental triggers, and the type of nasal discharge.
No, a common cold can be accompanied by a mild fever and body aches when fighting a viral infection, whereas allergies typically do not cause fever.
While a viral cold or infection can cause thick and yellowish nasal discharge, allergic rhinitis involves a thin, watery discharge along with frequent nasal congestion.
