Is It Allergies or a Virus?

As spring weather continues its rollercoaster ride in New York, seasonal allergies are affecting many people. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, over 50 million people experience allergy symptoms every year.

“Allergies can be caused by seasonal allergens or year-round allergens,” said Shahzad Mustafa, MD, an allergist at Rochester Regional Health. “It’s important to understand the differences between allergies, respiratory viruses like RSV, COVID-19, and the flu.”

Shahzad Mustafa, MD, is the lead physician of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology Services at Rochester Regional Health and explains what you need to know about allergies, including symptoms, treatment, and the best time to call your healthcare provider.

How to tell the difference between allergies, a cold, or the flu

Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out whether symptoms are from allergies or an upper respiratory infection. There are a few ways to tell whether you’re sick from a cold, the flu, or experiencing a bad case of seasonal allergies.

Upper respiratory infections like the flu, RSV, and COVID-19 show similar symptoms to allergies such as:

• coughing
• nasal congestion
• scratchy throat

Some allergy symptoms, however, are unique to allergies, including sneezing and itchy eyes.

One main symptom that will never result from allergies: fever.

Another indication that symptoms may be caused by allergies is how regularly they occur. If symptoms continue for weeks or months, they are caused by allergies. Symptoms from upper respiratory infections tend to last days to up to two weeks.

“There are some overlapping symptoms like congestion, sneezing, and coughing, but they present differently and last for different lengths of time,” Dr. Mustafa said.

Seasonal allergies vs. year-round allergies

Seasonal allergens are those that change throughout the year, based on changes in weather. Warm weather causes plants to pollinate and can cause symptoms of allergies. The time of year that people start to feel the effects of seasonal allergies depends on what they’re allergic to.

“Seasonal allergens are trees, grasses, and weeds. Trees pollinate in the spring, grasses pollinate in the summer, and weeds pollinate in late summer or early fall,” Dr. Mustafa said.

Year-round allergies do not go away with the change in weather. Year-round allergens include pets, dust mites, mold, etc.

Symptoms of allergies

Allergies can cause a range of symptoms, including:

• nasal congestion
• runny nose
• sneezing
• itchy eyes

“Allergens can also aggravate symptoms of asthma, such as increased coughing and difficulty breathing,” Dr. Mustafa said.

The amount of time for which seasonal allergies last depends on what you are allergic to.

Most of the time, people with seasonal allergies are allergic to multiple allergens, and will often experience allergies during more than one season.

“Depending on what allergens affect you, symptoms can begin as early as spring and continue through October,” Dr. Mustafa said.

Treating seasonal allergies

Environmental changes

There are ways for people to minimize the symptoms of seasonal allergies without medication or treatment. For example, keeping windows closed during allergy season and showering when coming indoors can help decrease allergy symptoms.

“Decrease the humidity in your home with a dehumidifier. This will keep the air dry and reduce the presence of dust mites,” Dr. Mustafa said. “I don’t often recommend staying indoors when allergens are prevalent, but if they become overwhelming, that is an option.”

Medication

Many medications for allergies are available over-the-counter. Antihistamines help reduce sneezing and a runny nose. For nasal congestion, many nasal steroid sprays can be purchased over-the-counter. Other symptoms, like itchy eyes, can be reduced with eye drops.

“If patients find that over-the-counter medications are ineffective at treating their allergy symptoms, there are plenty of prescription medications to treat seasonal allergies.”

Immunotherapy

Another method to treat allergy symptoms is immunotherapy. Through this process, the immune system can be desensitized to allergens that trigger allergy symptoms.

Immunotherapy can be performed through shots or sublingual immunotherapy.

“Sublingual immunotherapy is an FDA-approved under-the-tongue tablet which can be taken at home. They help reduce symptoms caused by dust mites, grass, and ragweed,” Dr. Mustafa said.

When to call a doctor about allergy symptoms

If your allergies persist regardless of your efforts to stop them, or if you think your allergies are affecting your breathing or triggering asthma issues, get in touch with your healthcare provider.

Allergists can provide skin testing to find out what specific allergens are causing symptoms. They can also provide immunotherapy options for those who want to get rid of symptoms without medications.

“It’s okay to take medicines on your own if they work for you and you’ve spoken to a doctor or pharmacist about them,” Dr. Mustafa said. “However, if over-the-counter medications are not working, if you want to know what you’re allergic to, or if you want to try immunotherapy, an allergist can really open up your treatment options.”