![Do You Have a Cold or Allergies](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2017/08/RS9289_177347179.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Do You Have a Cold or Allergies
Polly and I are both down for the count with a runny nose, cough, sore throat, aches and upset stomach. But is it a cold or just allergies?
"Fall is really a key point in the allergy season, mostly because of ragweed allergy, which affects most of North America," Dr. Nadim Bikhazi, an ear, nose and throat specialist told weather.com. "Each plant produces a billion grains of pollen, which can travel hundreds of miles and have a tremendous impact."
Common colds are caused by viruses. "A lot of times, people misdiagnose themselves; they just grab one medication to treat themselves when they're really suffering from something else," Dr. Bikhazi warned.
There are several ways to tell the difference between a cold and allergies. A cold progress slowly and ends after a few days. Allergies are instant, don't have symptom changes and won't quit without medication.
Cold Symptoms
-Progress slowly
-Sore throat
-Runny nose
-Cough
-Fever
-Ends after few days
Allergy Symptoms
-Instant
-Scratchy throat
-Sneezing
-Wheezing
-No fever
-Won't quit without medication
-No symptom changes
You can check the pollen count each day with the allergy tracker at Weather.com. The Utica area looks like it went through the highest pollen count already and is back to low or none.
BONUS VIDEO
More From Big Frog 104
![Reeling In The Best: New York Home To 2 Of Top Bass Fishing Lakes](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2023/07/attachment-RS45056_RNMC3BA-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Angler Shatters New York State Record With Massive Largemouth Bass](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2024/07/attachment-Bass-fishing-record-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Angler Smashes New York Fishing Record With Monster Catch](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2024/07/attachment-Record.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Do Not Touch These 4 Plants in New York to Avoid Painful Burns & Scarring](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2022/07/attachment-Light-Purple-and-White-Fashion-Back-to-Business-Landscape-Banner.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Massive 220 Pound Endangered Fish Pulled From New York River](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2024/06/attachment-Untitled-design-13.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Oil Spill in New York Creek Kills Family of Beavers](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2024/06/attachment-Untitled-design-12.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Invasive Species From East Asia Threatening New York Waters](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2024/06/attachment-Mitten-Crab.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Insect Invasion Hits Central New York](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2024/06/attachment-Becky-Scott.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gear Up for Free Camping at 7 New York Campsites](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2024/06/attachment-Free-camping-in-NY.jpg?w=980&q=75)