What is the difference between a cold, allergy problems, sinus problems,

and the flu...


I think I have allergy problems, but I am not sure. I always start having allergies (if that is what I have) indoors... NEVER outdoors. In fact, going outdoors actually clears my nasal passages, if only temporarily.

So what's a cold?
What are allergies?
Sinuses?
The flue?


What is the difference?


Peace,

sore throat with coughing = cold
pain and pressure around the eyes = sinuses
sore throat with coughing, aching and fever could be the flu.

yup.. I now get to take allergy shots on a weekly basis. I advise seeing an allergist or an ENT and getting his opinion. Better to be safe than have what I got - massively inflamed sinuses FROM allergies.

an infection would give you yellow thick mucus. Allergies and colds would be clear. But a cold can lead to an infection

of the siunsitis variety

Flu is when you are feeling OK one minute and then you feel like a train wreck, your hair hurts and you have chills and fever. Flu can really make you feel like pure hell for 3 or 4 days, then it can take another week to get your energy back up.

Colds can make you feel pretty rough, but they tend to creep up on you; you feel kindof off, then you start to sneeze/sore throat/, maybe a light fever, gradually gets worse then tapers off. Colds take about 7 to 10 days to completely run their course.


Allergies just go on and on and on as long as the offending allergen is stalking you. Claritin will reduce/eliminate your symptoms if it is an allergy.

If you clear up when you go outside, something in your house is triggering it. Dust, dustmites, cats, plants, smoke..any of these can set up an allergic reaction.

You may just need to change out the filter on your furnace/AC and vaccuum your vents out.

As is flu (influenza virus).
Caused by contact with someone (or something they touched) who has the virus.
You could look it up.
;-)

and disinfected. The flu smacks you down hard, the other three just make you the walking, sneezing, snorting, blowing, coughing, walking wounded.

when I eat foods I'm allergic to, like wheat and dairy. I tested positive to scratch tests for these allergies. As you might guess, it's really hard to avoid foods with wheat and dairy all the time. Also, I am better off when I wash my pillows in hot water often. Dust mites are all over your pillows. Just a couple of thoughts.

Bill

I have to take allegra 180mg, snort another antihistamine(sp) and watch what I eat because of year around allergies...

imply that something in the house is affecting you, and it could be an allergy.

But, you won't know for sure until you see a doctor.