When you wake up with a stuffy nose and start sneezing, figuring out the cause isn’t always straightforward. At Maryland Medical First P.A. in Parkville, Maryland, board-certified internal medicine physician Narender Bharaj, MD, and our team see patients struggle with this issue often, especially during peak allergy seasons.
Understanding the patterns behind your symptoms can help you choose the right treatment approach and avoid unnecessary medications.
The onset of symptoms provides the strongest clue about what’s causing your symptoms. Each condition follows a general timeline that can guide your diagnosis.
Allergies usually trigger symptoms quickly upon exposure to allergens, while viral infections take longer.
If you start sneezing within minutes of walking outside during peak pollen season, allergies are the likely cause. Cold symptoms usually appear 1-3 days after exposure to a cold-causing virus, and flu symptoms can take even longer to develop.
Allergy symptoms usually last as long as you’re exposed to the allergen, which may be about six weeks during pollen seasons, while colds and flu rarely last beyond two weeks.
While overlap exists between these conditions, specific symptom patterns can help narrow down the diagnosis.
Allergies have some telltale signs that set them apart from viral infections, such as:
Allergy symptoms can persist for months during active seasons.
Cold symptoms develop gradually and remain relatively mild. You may feel unwell, but can usually continue normal activities.
The flu can also cause a high fever that lasts for 3-4 days, along with a headache, fatigue, general aches, and pain. Flu symptoms can be more severe and often last several days longer than the common cold.
Choosing the wrong treatment can worsen symptoms or delay recovery. For example, antihistamines help with allergies but won’t resolve viral symptoms. Only a trained medical professional can recommend the appropriate treatment, but here’s a general guide:
Start treatment before peak exposure times. Nondrowsy antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid sprays help suppress early symptoms, while saline rinses can wash allergens from nasal passages. Allergen avoidance remains the best option for keeping symptoms at bay.
Rest and fluids are crucial for your recovery. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can also help ease headaches and body aches. Most people should avoid antibiotics, as they don’t work against viruses and can cause unnecessary side effects. Most cold symptoms resolve on their own without medication or in-office treatment.
Early antiviral medications can shorten illness duration if started within 48 hours of symptom onset. Pain relievers help with the intense body aches and fever. Expect to feel rundown for several days, and don’t rush back to normal activities too quickly.
If after seven to 10 days, you experience a worsening productive cough, sinus pressure, ear pain, or a new fever, it’s time to schedule a visit. These changes suggest a secondary bacterial infection or complications that need medical attention.
You don’t have to determine whether your symptoms stem from allergies or a viral infection on your own. We can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your discomfort. Call our office at 410-661-4670 or request an appointment using the online booking tool.
