Have you been dealing with a runny nose, frequent sneezing, and other related symptoms? Is it just a cold? Or worse — could it be the flu? Maybe it’s just seasonal allergies?
It is very easy to get these mixed up since they all affect your respiratory system, and the symptoms are so similar. However, diagnosis is necessary to get the right treatment. With that in mind, our family medicine specialists in Cedar Lake, Indiana are going to explain the differences below.
How severe are your symptoms?
Most healthy people get over a cold in 7 to 10 days. Flu symptoms, including high fever, should go away after about five days, but you might still be coughing and feeling weak for a few days after that.
Allergies are not caused by germs but by your body’s overreaction to otherwise harmless triggers like pollen from flowers, dust, or pet hair. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction are sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose, and these symptoms can last if you are around those allergens.
Proper diagnosis is necessary for effective treatment.
Using the wrong treatment for a cold, flu, or allergies is not going to help you feel better at all. For example, if you are taking antihistamines for allergies, when what you really have is the flu, you are not going to see any improvements in your symptoms and it may take you longer to recover.
This is where our family medicine specialists in Cedar Lake, Indiana can help you. Whether you have viral symptoms or an overly active immune system, we can diagnose what is making you sick and suggest suitable treatments for quick recovery.
You can usually treat colds and mild flu at home by getting plenty of rest, drinking plenty of water, and using over-the-counter remedies to ease your symptoms. But if you have the flu, you might need antiviral medication to prevent any complications. For allergies, antihistamines or decongestants can help, and you could need a prescription if your symptoms last long.
Know when it is time to talk to a doctor about your symptoms.
You might feel like pushing through your symptoms. But there are times when doing that can be risky. If your symptoms last for more than 10 days, if you have a high fever that does not go down, or if you are suddenly having trouble breathing, you need to talk to your doctor.
Flu especially can turn extremely dangerous in some cases, with complications like pneumonia that land over a million people in the hospital and cause around 40,000 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you don’t properly manage your allergies, they can also cause sinus infections and can become a risk factor for the development of asthma.
So why take the risk? Our family medicine specialists in Cedar Lake, Indiana are here to help you feel better and improve your overall health.
Another red flag is if your over-the-counter medications are not helping you feel better. Mixing different medications without asking a doctor first can cause some very unpleasant side effects or even dangerous drug interactions. And the truth is that most people don’t read the tiny print on those medicine labels as carefully as they probably should. If you are unsure or worried, it is a good idea to go see a doctor for help.
Looking for an Affordable Family Medicine Specialist in Cedar Lake, Indiana?
Do you feel unwell and don’t know if it is a cold, the flu, or an allergy? If so, and if you’re ready to meet with an affordable family medicine specialist in Cedar Lake, Indiana, our team at 219 Health Network is here to assist you. Contact us today at 833-219-0001 to schedule an appointment.