How To Know The Difference Between Asthma, Allergies, Cold & Flu

Although symptoms of common cold, flu, allergies and asthma may appear similar, fundamentally they are very different. All these conditions have different triggers, and their symptoms also vary from each other. Therefore, it is critical to identify the condition first before starting the most appropriate treatment. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the common differences between asthma, allergies, cold, and flu.

Understanding the Cause: Asthma, Cold, Flu, Allergy

Asthma

Asthma is associated with the inflammation of bronchial tubes, which are where tiny air sacs, alveoli, lie. These alveoli are responsible for removing carbon dioxide from blood vessels and provide oxygen to the body. During an asthma attack, the air doesn’t easily pass through the air tubes due to one of the three main reasons:

• Bronchospasm: a condition where the muscle surrounding the airways tighten.
• Inflammation: the lining of the airways swells.
• Mucus production: the cells lining the airways secrete more mucus, which is thicker than normal mucus.

All these factors result in asthma symptoms such as difficulty in breathing and performing daily activities, coughing, and wheezing. Asthma inhalers are mostly prescribed to ease these conditions and provide immediate relief. Controller inhalers when used regularly as advised by your doctor can reduce the inflammation of the airways over time to reduce the symptoms and the risk of an asthma attack.

Cold

When you wake up sneezing or coughing, it can be difficult to tell whether it is flu or cold since the symptoms are often similar. A cold is a milder respiratory illness compared with the flu. It lasts for a week, starting with a sore throat, and gradually manifesting in nasal symptoms like runny nose followed by congestion.

Several viruses are responsible for flu or cold and can affect the airways, sinuses, throat, voice box, and bronchial tubes. The rhinovirus is the most common reason for flu or cold, which is transmitted through droplets suspended in the air from coughing or sneezing by a sick person. Cold is extremely contagious and can occur at any time of the year, although it is most prevalent during the winter season.

Symptoms

• Slight ache and pains
• Stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Hacking cough, with mild to moderate chest discomfort

Only temporary relief of symptoms through over-the-counter medicines.

Flu

Flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold and can lead to complications. Flu symptoms include sore throat, cough, fever, headache, body and muscle aches, and congestion. In some flu cases, such as Swine flu, patients also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. If left untreated, flu can result in a common complication, pneumonia, especially in young, elderly, or people with lung problems. Unlike cold, flu fever is usually above 101-102 degrees Fahrenheit and lasts for at least a few days.

Symptoms

• High (102-104°F) that last for 3-4 days
• Severe headache
• Weakness, which can last up to 2-3 weeks
• Patients may complain of sneezing, stuffy nose and sore throat
• Chest discomfort and cough, which can become severe

Flu can be treated with antiviral drugs taken 24-48 hours after onset of symptoms. Annual flu shots are also available.

Allergy

Allergy is the immune system’s response to a usually harmless foreign substance as if it were dangerous. It is a medical condition that is caused by an overactive immune system. Unlike flu or cold, allergy isn’t contagious since it is not caused by a virus.

When a person suffers from an allergy, the body’s auto-response is to release compounds such as histamine that tackle what it thinks is a harmful foreign particle. These particles cause common allergy symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose. Antihistamines, which are usually in the form of pills or nasal spray, are used to treat allergy symptoms.

Symptoms

• Headache
• Fatigue or weakness
• Stuffy nose and sneeze
• Patients might complain of sore throat, chest discomfort and cough

Allergy can be prevented by controlling the environment. It is treated with anti-allergic medicines and injections.

How Asthma Interacts with Allergies, Flu, and Cold

Colds and flu are some of the most common triggers of an asthma attack. Asthma symptoms worsen with these viral diseases and can potentially lead to a life-threatening episode. That is because the airways become more inflamed when you suffer from a cold or the flu. As there is less air to pass through, and patients complain about breathing problems, which eventually triggers an asthma attack.

In the case of allergies, asthma is classified either as allergic asthma or non-allergic asthma. As the name suggests, the latter occurs without any allergens, while the former is triggered by certain substances such as dust and pollen. Patients with seasonal allergies experience an increase in asthma symptoms during a certain period of the year. Therefore, whether you have allergic asthma or a non-allergic one, it is important to keep an inhaler handy as prescribed by your doctor since it can control inflammation in the lungs. As mentioned previously, you can use a controller inhaler as prescribed by your doctor to manage asthma and reduce your symptoms over time.

Treatment Options For Asthma

No one likes getting sick, especially if you are an asthmatic. Fortunately, cold and flu can be prevented by following good handwashing habits and avoiding people who have the virus. Allergy, on the other hand, can be prevented by avoiding triggers and by controlling your environment.

If you have asthma, then it is always advised to keep asthma inhalers as prescribed by your doctor and an action plan handy. Diligence in care can also prevent your worst nightmare. Ask your doctor to provide you with an action plan, which may indicate an increase in the dosage or frequency of the medicines you already take when a cold worsens your asthma episode. Your doctor may also prescribe a preventive and a reliever inhaler to keep the symptoms in check.

Conclusion

Fortunately, the right dosage is associated with medicines and not with inhalers. You can prevent the worsening of asthma symptoms by using your inhaler appropriately as advised by your doctor irrespective of whether you are suffering from an allergy, cold, or flu. With asthma inhalers by your side, you will never be held back by your condition ever again.

References:

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2014/10/cold-flu-or-allergy

https://acaai.org/resources/connect/ask-allergist/difference-between-allergies-and-asthma

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/allergies-and-asthma/art-20047458

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