Allergies Or A Cold? This Miserable Illness Just Peaked Nationwide.
HuffPost • • health
Key Points:
- The United States experienced a peak in common cold cases in mid-May, driven by spring viruses like rhinovirus and enterovirus, with cases now declining but not yet at their lowest.
- Differentiating between allergies and colds can be challenging, but allergies typically do not cause fever and respond to antihistamines, whereas colds often involve fever and do not improve with antihistamines.
- The decline in cold cases is partly attributed to the end of the school year, reducing close contact among children, and increased outdoor activity during summer, which limits virus spread compared to indoor environments.
- Despite the seasonal decrease, cold viruses are still circulating, so maintaining good hygiene practices such as frequent hand-washing and avoiding close contact with sick individuals remains important.
- While most colds are mild, they can be serious for vulnerable groups like children with asthma and immunocompromised individuals, making it crucial to stay home when ill and prioritize rest and hydration for recovery.