Is It a Cold or Allergies?

Believe it or not, fall and winter are prime time for allergy symptoms and discomfort.  That's because triggers such as dust mites, dander,and mold abound at the home, school, and office.  But how can you tell if you are suffering from a cold or allergies.  According to an article in the November 2010 issue of Better Homes and Garden, this is the time of year that it's tough to tell whether sniffles stem from an allergy or a virus, Linda Ford, M.D. an allergist in Omaha , Nebraska, offers these diagnostic clues.

1. Cold: Often comes with a sore throat or low-grade fever; tends to cause congestion with yellowish mucus; is associated with isolated sneezes; and gets better in about a week.
2. Allergy: Is associated with itchiness; tends to produce clear runny mucus; often induces fits of sneezing; can persist as long as the allergen is present.