Q: How can I tell if my child’s symptoms are due to a cold or seasonal allergies?
A: This time of year, it’s common for parents to notice their children sneezing, coughing or dealing with a constantly runny nose — and it can be difficult to know whether it’s a cold, allergies or something else.
A cold is caused by a virus and may include a runny or stuffy nose, mild cough, low-grade fever and fatigue. Cold symptoms generally improve within about a week, though the cough can last a little longer. Children with colds typically keep some energy, eat and play in short bursts between periods of rest.
Allergies, on the other hand, are triggered by the immune system’s reaction to things like pollen, dust or pet dander. Common allergy symptoms include clear nasal drainage, frequent sneezing, nasal itching and watery or itchy eyes. Allergies do not cause fever, so if your child is running a fever, that points more toward an infection rather than an allergy.
If symptoms occur around the same time each year — or worsen on high pollen days — it’s reasonable to suspect allergies. Keeping a simple symptom diary (noting when and where symptoms appear) can help your health care provider make that distinction.
Regardless of whether the cause seems to be allergies or a cold, there are certain situations that always deserve prompt medical attention. Contact your pediatrician if your child has:
— Difficulty breathing or wheezing
— A persistent high fever
— Ear pain or a significant sore throat
— Signs of dehydration, such as dry lips or reduced urination
— Unusual fatigue, irritability or behavior changes
Tracking patterns and staying alert to your child’s overall comfort level are the best clues. Partnering with your pediatrician — or an allergist if allergies are suspected — can help identify triggers and guide the best treatment plan.
Dr. Curt Chaffin is a pediatric and adult allergy and asthma physician with the Allergy & Asthma Group of Galen.