Question 1 Of : What Are The Symptoms Of An Allergic Reaction
When To See A Doctor
It is not always easy to tell the difference between a cold and an allergy, so its important to know when to see a healthcare provider. If symptoms last for more than 2 weeks or if they are severe, it may be a good idea to see a doctor.
Doctors can identify allergy triggers through serum and skin tests. Once a specific allergen has been identified, an appropriate treatment plan is developed.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Cold
When youve got a mild cold, the only symptoms might be a runny nose, mild sore throat and cough, and general fatigue. If your cold is more serious, you may also have body aches, and all over pains, a fever, trouble sleeping, and your cough and sore throat may be worse.;
While some of these symptoms are the same as other conditions, you wouldnt usually experience aches and pains, or a sore throat with allergies.;
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Just How Rare Is A Breakthrough Covid
Internal CDC slides;obtained by the Washington Post suggest breakthrough infections with the delta variant are not that rare. About 35,000 fully vaccinated people;are contracting;symptomatic coronavirus infections in the U.S. each week, the slides show.
Still,;they;suggest the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine;works against severe illness and death from the delta variant. It’s;80% to 90% effective;against symptomatic infection and 90% to 95% effective against severe disease in data from other countries, said Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, in a series of tweets about the CDC documents. Because the Moderna vaccine uses a similar mRNA technology, scientists say it can be assumed it performs similarly against the delta variant.
Vaccinated people are three times less likely to contract the delta variant;and 10 times less likely to die from it;than those who are unvaccinated, the leaked documents show, but vaccinated people are just as contagious as unvaccinated people.
The CDC;documents suggest the delta variant is more transmissible than Ebola, smallpox, and polio, and spreads as easily as chicken pox. They urge public health officials;to;”acknowledge the war has changed,” and insist;that “given higher transmissibility and current vaccine coverage, universal masking is essential to reduce transmission.”
If you’ve been vaccinated and suspect you’re sick, doctors agree;that you should be tested for the coronavirus.
Is It A Cold Allergies Or Delta Variant Symptoms How To Know When To Get Tested For Covid
Sneezing? Feeling congested? Coughing?;Are these signs of a summer cold or allergies, or are they symptoms of COVID-19’s rapidly spreading delta variant?
Without testing, it is difficult to determine whether the congestion is more than a cold, but either way, don’t panic, say medical experts, just take proper precautions.;
Some medical professionals;have linked COVID-19’s emergent delta variant to standout symptoms such as a stuffy nose, a sore throat;and a headache, rather than the loss of taste and smell, a cough;and difficulty breathing typically associated with the virus.
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“Everyone is assuming that it’s COVID and rushing to get tested, but they really should just be getting good, sensible medical care,” said Stanley Weiss, a doctor and professor at;Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.;;
Still, Weiss advised against relying on any flash judgments. Rather,;physician consultations and symptom monitoring should be prioritized, as allergies, common colds and even mosquito-transmitted illnesses may;be to blame for mild symptoms.
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“It looks like it takes hold much more quickly,” Weiss said of the;variant. “But I have not seen any descriptions to suggest that the disease is different, or the risk of going on to more serious disease is greater.”
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A Pediatrician Shares Eight Ways To Tell The Difference Between A Cold And Allergies
If your child seems to constantly have a runny nose, cough or congestion, you are not alone.
“It’s not unusual for kids to get six to eight colds per year, lasting from 10-14 days,” explains Michael Lee, M.D., a pediatrician with Children’s Health. “Additionally, seasonal allergies have become more prevalent.”
So how can parents tell if it’s a cold or allergies? Dr. Lee explains the difference between causes and symptoms in kids.
Related podcast
Learn more about how to help a child with seasonal allergies by listening to the Children’s Health Checkup podcast.
Is It Allergies Or A Cold
Cold and allergy symptoms often overlap, so its easy to mistake cold symptoms for allergies, and vice versa. Understanding the cause of your symptoms helps you choose the right treatment. It also gives you a better picture of your overall health.
Clinicians use the;5 factors below to help distinguish between colds and allergies.
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What Are Your Symptoms
Both allergies and colds may cause a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, a cough, and fatigue. Itchy eyes, post-nasal drip, and dark circles under your eyes are more common with allergies. Symptoms more commonly caused by a virus include sore throat, cloudy or discolored nasal discharge, fever, and general aches and pains.
Are You Treating Multiple Symptoms
For a cold, get extra rest and drink plenty of fluids, including water, tea, or soup with lots of broth. For allergies, it can help to shower and change your clothes often because allergens cling to skin, hair, and clothing. For both colds and allergies, over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, and pain relievers may help you feel better, although they wont make a cold go away any faster. And no matter what ails you, avoid medications that treat multiple symptoms, especially if you dont have some of the symptoms the medication is meant to treat.
If home treatments arent working and you still dont feel well, connect with our Consulting Nurse Service or if you are in the Seattle area,;visit a CareClinic by Kaiser Permanente at Bartell Drugs.
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Question 3 Of : How Do You Know What You’re Allergic To
Question 5 Of : What Are The Most Common Types Of Allergies
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Exposure To Certain Substances Can Worsen Allergy Symptoms
Allergy symptoms typically get worse with more frequent exposure to the allergen, and they improve when exposure is reduced. For example, say a child has a dust mite allergy. Theyll likely experience sneezing and nasal congestion while inside their home, but the symptoms will improve after spending time in the backyard, says Dr. Jain. Because of this, allergy symptoms can be intermittent and may vary throughout the day and week.;
Start With Some Home Remedies For Cold And Allergy Symptoms
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 Are Allergies Diagnosed
A persons response to allergy medications is one way to tell you thats likely the problem. If you go to the doctor, your provider will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam. Boling says she looks inside a patients nose and can often tell they have allergies because the turbinates structures in the nose that screen out particles and clean out and humidify the air that travels from the nostrils to the lungs have a distinct, light pink and squishy appearance. In the case of a cold, she says the nasal turbinates are usually red and swollen.
If you suspect you have environmental allergies, like an allergy to pollen or ragweed, you can see an allergist who can diagnose you with a skin or blood test.
How To Tell If A Cough Is From A Cold Allergies Or Asthma
Colds are very common. Most of us can expect to experience colds three or four times a year, and school-age children can get even more. Allergies are also very common, with 50 million people in America alone having them and around 8% of us experiencing seasonal allergies like hay fever. While asthma isnt as common, it is something that many people are living with.;
All three of these conditions list a cough as a primary symptom. This cough may be dry or chesty. It may be your first symptom or something that develops later on. It might come and go, or it could be a constant. Coughs range from mild, and completely manageable, to more severe. But, most coughs are easy to treat, as long as you understand the root cause. So, how do you know whether your cough is being caused by a cold, allergies, or asthma?
Often, the best way to figure out the root cause of your cough is to take a look at your other symptoms, which may be different.;
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How Are Allergies Treated
The primary treatment for allergies is over-the-counter antihistamines, according to Connors. Sometimes, she also recommends nasal steroid sprays to treat congestion and nasal inflammation. Chen says antihistamines can be used on an as-needed basis and typically work within an hour, while steroid nasal sprays are effective at preventing and treating allergy symptoms, but you have to take them daily for a week or two to see results.
Keep in mind that its important to use caution with some nasal sprays for allergies: According to Chen, oxymetazoline, a congestion-relieving ingredient found in some over-the-counter nasal sprays, can cause rebound congestion if people use it for more than two or three days. Typically, steroid-based nasal sprays dont cause this rebound effect. For some symptoms, saline nasal sprays can be helpful: Nasal saline sprays do not relieve inflammation in the nose, but some people find them helpful if their nose feels dry, she says.
If youre going somewhere and you know youll be exposed to an allergen, Chen advises taking an antihistamine an hour beforehand. And if youre not feeling well and you think it may be allergies, talk to a doctor, who can help you navigate the best course of treatment. We know that allergies have a significant impact on peoples quality of life, she says. I commonly hear from patients that they didnt realize how much better they could have been feeling all along.
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It’s Probably Allergies If:
Your mucus is clear or watery. And it will stay clear, instead of becoming thick or discolored like it can with a cold, says Michael Benninger, MD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.
Your eyes are itchy or watery. It’s rare to have itchy eyes when you have a cold.
Your symptoms stay the same. “Allergies may feel extra intense for the first day or 2, but you’ll have the same symptoms day after day,” Benninger says.
You’ve had the sniffles for more than a week. A cold usually clears up in 7 to 10 days, but allergies can last several weeks or longer.
Your symptoms show up only in certain situations. Find yourself sneezing every spring or fall? Those are common times for allergies. Another allergy tip-off: Being in a specific place makes you feel miserable — for example, in a house with a cat.
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Is It A Cold Allergies Or Delta Variant Symptoms How To Know And When To Get Tested For Covid
How do you tell if youve contracted COVID-19? It can be tricky, but
COVID-19 symptoms versus flu symptoms
We answer the often searched question: What are the symptoms of coronavirus versus the flu?
USA TODAY
Florida is breaking records on the number of new COVID-19 cases and is now leading the nation in per capita.hospitalizations;as the far-more-contagious delta variant sweeps across the unvaccinated.;
Sneezing? Feeling congested? Coughing?;Are these signs of a summer cold or allergies, or are they symptoms of COVID-19s rapidly spreading delta variant?
Without testing, it is difficult to determine whether the congestion is more than a cold, but either way, dont panic, say medical experts, just take proper precautions.;
If you feel sick, dont diagnose yourself, said Dr. Deborah German, Vice-President for Health Affairs and Dean, University of Florida College of Medicine. Call your healthcare provider dont just show up to the clinic. Your provider can determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19 and what treatments you need.
Comparing the curve:;How do;Floridas rate of new COVID cases compare to the rest of the U.S.?
The delta variant appears to spread more easily than the original strain, but otherwise it reflects COVID-19s historical;threat.;For the average person, there may be no way to differentiate;between the delta variant and any other SARS-CoV-2 strains without tests.
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How To Treat Cold Sore Pain
DIY remedies arent likely to make a cold sore disappear anyfaster. But there are things you can do to ease the pain while youre waitingimpatiently for it to heal.
Meanwhile, you dont want to inflict these sores on others. Skip the make-out sessions until youve healed and wash your hands often.
While cold sores are annoying in adults, the virus can be life-threatening in a baby, so take care to steer clear, Dr. Beers advises: As much as you might want to see your niece or nephew or grandbaby, please dont shower them with kisses if you have an active cold sore.
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