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Cold vs. Allergy in Children: How to Tell the Difference

Colds are infections of the upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nasal passages, throat, and larynx). They are caused by several different viruses. They are spread by:

Touching a person with a cold, such as shaking hands, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
Touching an object that someone with a cold has touched and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
Breathing the virus in the air after someone with a cold has coughed or sneezed into the air

Seasonal allergies (hay fever) are caused by the immune system reacting to pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds as if it were harmful to the body. Allergies aren't contagious. This means they don't spread from person to person. The reaction causes symptoms that can seem like a cold. Allergies often run in families. Seasonal allergies occur at the same time each year. If your child has allergy symptoms all year, they may be allergic to things (allergens) in the home. These can include dust mites, animals, mold, and cockroaches.

The table below is a guide to symptoms. See your child's healthcare provider for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Symptoms	Allergy (Airborne)	Cold
Stuffy or runny nose	Often	Often
Sneezing	Often	Often
Sore scratchy throat	Often	Often
Wheezing	Sometimes	Sometimes
Red or itchy eyes	Often	Rarely
Fever	Never	Often, especially at the start of a cold
Weakness and lack of energy (fatigue)	Sometimes	Sometimes
Body aches	No	Yes
Headache	Sometimes	Often
Cough	Sometimes	Often
Hoarseness	Sometimes	Often
Occur at a certain time of year	Often	Rarely
Need for antibiotics	No	No
Warning time	Symptoms occur after exposure to allergen	Gets worse over several days
How long it lasts	As long as your child is exposed to the allergen	Usually 3 to 14 days

Online Medical Reviewer: Deborah Pedersen MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Jessica Gotwals BSN MPH
Online Medical Reviewer: Marianne Fraser MSN RN

Date Last Reviewed: 4/1/2022