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How To Know If You Are Sick Or Have Allergies

Can My Child Get The Covid

How To Tell Whether You’re Sick Or Just Have Allergies

Yes, according to the CDC, your child may get other vaccines when they go in for their coronavirus shot without waiting 14 days between appointments. Flu shots can be given to children age 6 months and older.

Correction, Oct. 25: A previous version of this story included a sentence implying incorrect information about available vaccines for children age 12 and older. Only Pfizer’s vaccine is currently available for kids ages 12 to 17.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Similar Symptoms Different Causes

To understand the difference between a cold and allergies, it is important to know that some cold symptoms are actually the same as some allergy symptoms. Plus, everyone experiences colds and allergies a little differently. Its no wonder why it can be challenging to figure out exactly whats going on.

Vaccinating Your Child: What To Know About Pfizer’s Covid Vaccine For Kids 5 To 11

What to expect, where to get it and more.

The COVID-19 vaccine program for kids ages 5 to 11 is in full swing, with many pharmacies, pediatricians’ offices, public health centers and clinics administering the coronavirus vaccine to kids under 12 after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended it for children at the beginning of November. While child coronavirus cases have declined since their peak in September, they’ve increased about 32% from two weeks ago, according to a Nov. 22 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Pfizer’s vaccine for kids is one-third of a regular dose, a slightly different formula and given with a smaller needle. It was after data showing an encouraging safety profile and high effectiveness was reviewed by an independent committee for the FDA. In an ongoing trial that tested the vaccine in about 3,100 children ages 5 to 11, no serious side effects were reported.

“We know millions of parents are eager to get their children vaccinated, and with this decision, we now have recommended that about 28 million children receive a COVID-19 vaccine,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a statement Nov. 2. “As a mom, I encourage parents with questions to talk to their pediatrician, school nurse or local pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine and the importance of getting their children vaccinated.”

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Clear Signs You Have Seasonal Allergies

Dont confuse allergies with a head cold.

For some people, just the thought of being outside during spring or summer makes them want to sneeze.

Some people love spring and summer: Blooming flowers, warm sunshine and chirping birds are a welcome arrival for many people after the dark and cold winter months. For about 8% of American adults, though, the change of seasons spells misery.

Those 20 million people deal with allergic rhinitis, or seasonal allergies, a condition caused when your immune system reacts to something in the environment. In most cases, that something is pollen from trees, grasses and weeds.

Commonly called hay fever, seasonal allergies actually have nothing to do with hay or fevers. That misnomer comes from a long-gone era when symptoms would strike during hay harvests in late summer and early fall, before medical professionals knew what allergies were.

Think you might have seasonal allergies? See how your symptoms match up against these four big signs.

What Should I Do To Protect Myself And Loved Ones

How To Tell If You Have A Cold Or Allergies

In the midst of flu season, doctors recommend getting a flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine, if you haven’t already. And, don’t let up on what you’ve learned during the pandemic: Wash your hands frequently, don’t touch your face with your hands, social distance, and wear a mask indoors, even if you are vaccinated, if you are in areas with high rates of transmission, if you or a family member has a weakened immune system, or if it just makes you feel more comfortable.

According to the CDC, fully vaccinated people might choose to mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated.

More: Stay home, even if you don’t know if it’s COVID-19

People who are at increased risk for severe disease include older adults and those who have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart conditions, or if they are overweight or obese.

The CDC also recommends that people with compromised immune systems should wear a mask, social distance, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

Free Press staff writer Kristen Jordan Shamus contributed to this article.

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Talk With A Doctor Or Clinician To Create A Personalized Treatment Plan

If you arent sure if its a cold or allergies, or if your symptoms are severe or long-lasting, its best to connect with a care provider to get an official diagnosis and treatment plan.

If your allergy symptoms are left untreated, you could become more prone to getting sinus infections or other upper respiratory infections, or may lead to poor asthma control.

Also, a common cold can turn severe. So, if your cold has had you laid up longer than a day or two, get in touch with your doctor.

You have a couple options:

Make an appointment for face-to-face care from a primary care doctor or clinician. Whether you choose a video visit or in-person appointment, your doctor will listen to your symptoms, answer questions and work with you to create a tailored treatment plan including connecting you with an allergist or an otolaryngologist if needed.

Start a virtual visit anytime, anyplace through Virtuwell. With Virtuwell, no appointment is necessary and treatment is available 24/7. Getting started is easy. Well ask you a few questions, and youll get your diagnosis and treatment plan from a board-certified nurse practitioner. Each visit is just $59 or less, depending on your insurance.

Muscle Aches And Pains

If it hurts to move, that tough gym class might not be entirely to blame. If the soreness sticks around for a few days that could be a sign of the flu. Start taking some medicine for the pain, like ibuprofen, drink plenty of fluids, reduce your stress, and get lots of sleep, and you will probably start to feel better.

Read Also: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec

Question 2 Of : How Do You Know If You Have Allergies Or A Cold

  • 1You can usually tell by checking your mucus, cough, and temperature. Ok, this doesn’t sound like much fun, that’s true. However, these things can give you some big clues as to whether you’re experiencing allergies or if you might have a cold or another illness. Specifically, check these things:XResearch source
  • The color of your mucus: If you have allergies, it should stay clear. If you have a cold, it will get thicker, cloudy, and yellow.
  • Type of cough: If you have a nagging, dry cough, chances are, it’s just allergies. On the other hand, if you’re coughing up mucus, it’s likely a cold, although it could also be a virus like the flu or COVID-19.
  • Sore throat: If you’re sick with something like a cold or the flu, you’ll often get a sore throat, but that’s uncommon with allergies.
  • Fever: Severe allergies can sometimes lead to a fever, but it’s pretty rare, and you’ll likely have other severe allergy symptoms. Fever is much more common with illnesses like a cold or the flu.
  • Do Young Kids Even Need A Covid Vaccine

    How to Tell if You Have Allergies

    Children remain at low risk of severe COVID-19 disease and death compared with the adult population. But children can experience complications from COVID-19, including long COVID and multisystem inflammatory syndrome.

    Kids ages 5 to 11 are also at least as likely to be infected with COVID-19 as adults are, according to data — more than 1.9 million children in that age group have been infected since the beginning of the pandemic. According to CDC data from Nov. 22, 199 children ages 5 to 11 have died from COVID-19 in the US.

    There are also racial disparities in how sick children get from COVID-19. Children ages 5 to 11 who are Black, Native American or Hispanic are three times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than white children, according to the presentation. Of children ages 5 to 11 hospitalized with COVID-19, about one in three will require an ICU admission.

    The pandemic has had other effects on children, including mental and emotional tolls. In mid-October, the AAP, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Children’s Hospital Association declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health, with children from communities of color being disproportionately affected. Given the role that in-person learning plays in a child’s development, the CDC prioritized in-person learning for students this fall, and it has guidance on prevention strategies schools should use to keep students and staff safe.

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    Question 5 Of : What Are The Most Common Types Of Allergies

  • 1There are four major types of allergies. Typically, people are allergic to something in their environment, food, insect stings, or medications. You may be allergic to one or more items within these categories, as well.
  • Environmental allergies can include seasonal allergies to pollen, perennial allergies to things like mold and pet dander, and contact allergies that lead to skin irritation.XResearch source
  • Food allergies can occur when you eat a certain food, although if they’re severe, they might be triggered when you simply touch or breathe in that item.
  • Insect allergies typically only occur when you are bitten or stung by the insect you’re allergic to.
  • Medication allergies can occur with both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, but they are not the same as side effects from taking medication.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source
  • Your Symptoms Only Show Up At Certain Times

    If you have seasonal allergies, your symptoms should arise and go away around the same time each year. For most people, seasonal allergy symptoms begin in the spring and end in the fall. However, depending on your allergy triggers, you may experience allergic rhinitis in any of the four seasons. Here’s a rundown of plants that commonly cause seasonal allergies:

    Spring: Tree pollen, particularly that from oak, elm, birch, cedar, willow, poplar, horse chestnut and alder trees.

    Summer:Grasses, such as ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Timothy grass, Bermuda grass and more.

    Fall:Pollen from weeds is the main concern in the fall months. Many people are allergic to the pollen in ragweed, tumbleweed, pigweed, sagebrush, Russian thistle and more.

    Winter: Most people find that their allergies go dormant during the winter months because most plants don’t pollinate during winter. If you still get watery eyes and a runny nose during cold weather, you might be allergic to indoor allergens, such as dust mites, mold or pet dander.

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    Question 6 Of : What Is Allergic Rhinitis

  • 1Allergic rhinitis is the sneezing, sniffling type of allergies. If you have allergic rhinitis, it might only show up during certain seasons, although it can also occur year-round, depending on your trigger. Typical symptoms include sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and itchy, watery, or swollen eyes.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source
  • If your allergies tend to occur in the spring or fall, you likely have seasonal allergies, or hay fever. This is triggered by pollen in the air.
  • If your allergies last all year, you might be allergic to something like animal dander, dust mites, mold, or debris left by cockroaches.XResearch source
  • Quiz: Do You Have A Cold Or Allergies

    How to Tell if You

    With many similar symptoms it can be difficult to figure out if what youve got is a common cold or seasonal allergies. Take our quiz to get a better idea of what might be making you stuffed up!

    This quiz wont count as a doctors note so remember if you are suffering from cold or allergy symptoms you can receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board-certified MeMD medical provider all from the comfort of your home or office!

    • TAGS

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    Question 9 Of : Can You Be Allergic To Insect Bites

  • 1Yes, some people are allergic to things like bee or wasp stings. This can occur even if you aren’t allergic to anything else, and the reactions can sometimes be pretty severe. Typically, you’ll notice a quick reaction when you’re bitten or stung, and there will likely be significant swelling at the site of the sting. Other symptoms might include:XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source
  • Itching or hives
  • An Air Purifier Can Help

    Now that you know what the top symptoms are for dust allergies, you may be thinking, Im pretty sure I have it. What can I do about it?

    If possible, the best thing for you to do is perform a deep cleaning of the area thats causing you the most problems. Then, add an air purifier to the space.

    What this product does is constantly strips the air of any dust particles and dust mite waste that may try to make their way back into the room.

    Take a look at our article on the best air purifiers for dust mites and why they work so well.

    If you have a dust allergy, this simple device can help you eliminate dust particles and dust mites from your home.

    Having an air purifier in the space that collects the most dust can drastically reduce your allergy issues.

    About Katherine Dyson

    Katherine is the lead Staff Writer. She conducts in-depth research and interviews with industry experts in order to produce a wide range of content for the site. Her main role is to write helpful articles that aid people who are seeking to improve their indoor air quality and comfort.

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    Can A Fully Vaccinated Patient Who Develops A Breakthrough Infection Give The Virus To Someone Else

    At a briefing, the head of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said some vaccinated people infected with the delta variant, the dominant variant in the United States, “may be contagious and spread the virus to others.”

    She called this new science worrisome, and said the CDC felt it important for people to understand they have the potential to transmit the virus to others even after they’ve been vaccinated. She said this is especially significant should a person with a breakthrough infection be planning to visit someone with a compromised immune system.

    Vaccinated people who get breakthrough infections from the delta variant have similar amounts of virus in their system as those who were unvaccinated when they got sick, Walensky said. The CDC is continuing to study the issue “to understand the impact of forward transmission of those vaccinated people.”

    “But unlike the alpha variant that we had back in May, where we didn’t believe that if you were vaccinated you could transmit further, this is different now with the delta variant and we’re seeing now that it’s actually possible that if you’re a rare breakthrough infection that you can transmit further,” she said.

    Start With Some Home Remedies For Cold And Allergy Symptoms

    How to tell if you have a cold, flu, or just allergies

    When you start feeling icky, some simple home remedies can provide temporary relief. For starters, try to get more rest. Both allergies and colds can cause tiredness, so listen to your body and take it easy.

    Also, take advantage of saltwater to soothe irritated nasal passages and scratchy or sore throats.

    For your nose, use a neti pot. A neti pot can be picked up at any local drugstore or online, and typically comes with packets to mix with warm, distilled water to create a saltwater solution to pour through your nasal passages.

    For your throat, simply mix a quarter or half teaspoon of table salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Take a sip and gargle for a few seconds like you would with mouthwash. Then spit and repeat until the solution is gone. You can do this a couple times a day.

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    How To Tell The Difference Between A Cold And Allergies Symptoms

    First, consider the symptoms. Colds and allergies both lead to sneezing, sniffling, and congestion, Kristine Arthur, an internist at MemorialCare Medical Group, says. But there are some key symptoms that set each illness apart.

    Got an itchy sensation in your eyes or nose? That’s a tipoff you have allergies.

    On the other hand, if you’re suffering from a headache, body aches, and a mild fever, those are signature symptoms of a cold, not allergies.

    And while it might be gross, take a good look at your snot. If it’s thin and clear, you probably have allergies. But if it’s thick and discolored, then it’s probably a cold, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

    It’s Easy To Get The Care You Need

    See a Premier Physician Network provider near you.

    You childs allergy symptoms may be much like cold symptoms: Runny nose, clear drainage, sneezing, itchy eyes or throat. If it’s a cold, your child may feel sick and not have much energy. But with allergies, he or she may feel fine except for the itchy eyes and runny nose.

    You may also be able to tell if its allergies from dark circles under the eyes or a crease on the nose from frequent rubbing . If your child has symptoms that last a long time or that go away for a few days and then return it could be allergies instead of a cold. Parents play a role, too. If one parent has allergies, your child has about a 50 percent chance of having allergies. If both parents have allergies, theres about a 75 percent chance your child will, too.

    What Can Make Allergies Worse

    • Cigarette smoke
    • Smoke from wood stoves or fireplaces
    • Perfume
    • Greenish or yellowish drainage from the nose

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    How can I tell if my child has seasonal allergies?

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