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Dr. Teresa Hauguel explains the challenges of distinguishing between fall allergies, colds, and flu due to overlapping symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, congestion, cough, and sore throat. Fall allergies typically involve immune system reactions to triggers such as pollen or mold, while colds are viral infections spread through respiratory droplets from an infected person. The article details specific treatment options for each condition, emphasizing the importance of limiting outdoor exposure and using over-the-counter remedies like antihistamines and nasal spray for allergy relief, and rest and hydration for colds and flu.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
As fall arrives in the U.S., millions of Americans face difficulty distinguishing between seasonal allergies, colds, and flu due to overlapping symptoms. Cold temperatures and allergens like pollen or mold exacerbate respiratory issues. Seasonal allergies are triggered by airborne irritants, unlike viral infections such as colds and flu. Dr. Teresa Hauguel explains that when exposed to allergens like pollen, immune cells overreact, causing symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, throat irritation, postnasal drip, and mild cough. Understanding these differences is crucial for proper treatment, such as using pseudoephedrine or topical intranasal oxymetazoline (limited to three days) for congestion, dextromethorphan or honey for coughs, and acetaminophen or NSAIDs like ibuprofen for fever and aches.
Written for “Allergies Versus Cold” on 2026-10-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 61327 · logged 2026-10-06
As fall settles in across the U.S., millions of Americans may find themselves battling seasonal allergies, colds or the flu — illnesses with overlapping symptoms that can be difficult to tell apart.
uncertain
that → settle → symptoms
As the season brings chilly temperatures, many people get sick because of the sudden shift from pleasant warmth to cold; this works alongside fall allergies, often worsening both symptoms.
Colds, flu and allergies all affect the respiratory system, making it hard to breathe, especially when multiple illnesses combine.
Fall allergies are often triggered by pollen or mold in the air and are not caused by viruses, unlike the cold or flu.
When suffering from allergens, the body’s immune system reacts to a trigger or allergen, which is something you are allergic to.
“If you have allergies and breathe in things like pollen or pet dander, the immune cells in your nose and airways may overreact to these harmless substances,” Dr. Teresa Hauguel, News in Health expert, said on infectious diseases that affect breathing.
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that → bring → breathing
Each condition has key symptoms that set it apart from allergies.
asserted
that → have → allergies
Distinguishing a common cold from fall allergies can be difficult, but these symptoms set them apart.
asserted
symptoms → distinguish → them
Both a cold and the flu can cause a runny, stuffy nose, congestion, cough and sore throat that can last for days.
If you have fall allergies, the best way to treat yourself is to limit outdoor exposure, where pollen and other triggers can have an effect.
Over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal spray can provide quick relief if the symptoms are too unbearable.
Colds are caused by a virus, which is often caught through engaging with contaminated surfaces or respiratory activity, according to Southern New Hampshire Health.
When an infected person talks, coughs, sneezes or even breathes, they release virus-filled droplets into the air.
uncertain
they → cause → air
If you are within 3 to 6 feet of the infected person, you become susceptible to these droplets landing in your mouth, nose and eyes.
asserted
droplets → become → mouth
Most people with cold or flu-like symptoms recover on their own without medical care, but it is always worth checking in with a healthcare provider if symptoms persist beyond 10 days and over-the-counter medicines don’t work.
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medicines → recover → counter
To treat a cold or flu, experts suggest getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids.
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experts → treat → fluids
The more severe these symptoms are, the larger the indication that you are suffering from an illness and not common fall allergies.
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you → suffer → illness
Nasal congestion — Pseudoephedrine or topical intranasal oxymetazoline (limit topical decongestants to no more than three days to avoid rebound rhinitis).
Cough — Dextromethorphan or honey.
Fever/aches — Acetaminophen or NSAIDs (Ibuprofen is more effective than acetaminophen for fever-related discomfort).
Start your day with all you need to know
Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.
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Report → limit → news
A fever is rarely associated with a cold and often indicates a more serious illness, like the flu.
asserted
fever → associate → flu
If you have second thoughts that you’re suffering from the flu and not a cold, a good rule of thumb is that flu symptoms are typically much more severe when compared to a cold.
asserted
symptoms → have → cold
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