Cleveland Clinic Allergist Explains Key Differences Between Fall Allergies and the Common Cold This Fall

CLEVELAND, Ohio — As fall arrives in Northeast Ohio, many residents are left wondering whether their runny nose and sneezing signal a seasonal cold or recurring allergies. Dr. Sandra Hong, an allergist with the Cleveland Clinic, emphasized that recognizing the distinction is essential for proper treatment.

“Colds can actually linger for about seven to 14 days,” Hong said. “They can come with fevers, they can feel achy and feel unwell, while allergies will recur every single year.”

Dr. Hong explained that allergies are typically chronic and tend to flare up with seasonal triggers such as ragweed and mold. Common symptoms include sneezing, nasal congestion, a runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes. These reactions tend to occur suddenly, often within minutes of exposure to allergens, and persist as long as the individual remains exposed. Unlike colds, allergies are not contagious and do not involve fever or body aches.

“Very frequently it’s ragweed,” Hong said. “Most people with allergies are allergic to ragweed, but then there are multiple other types of weeds out there. There’s also lots of molds. And then indoors, we continue to have the same indoor allergens that we always have year-round. So those are things like pet dander, we’ve got dust mites, and we also have molds indoors.”

In contrast, the common cold is caused by a viral infection and typically begins with a gradual onset one to two days after exposure. It commonly includes symptoms like sore throat, cough, mild fever, body aches, and thicker, often yellow or green, nasal discharge. Unlike allergies, colds are contagious and generally resolve within 7 to 14 days without recurring seasonally.

Experts note that systemic signs such as low-grade fever, fatigue, and muscle aches are reliable indicators of a cold, while symptoms like itchy eyes and throat point to allergies. Dr. Hong advised that people experiencing persistent or unclear symptoms consult with an allergist for testing and treatment.

“If you’re always struggling with allergies,” she said, “an allergist can help identify the cause and come up with a treatment plan.”

Recent studies also suggest climate change is intensifying allergy seasons, causing symptoms to appear earlier and last longer. This overlap with viral season makes distinguishing between the two conditions even more important.

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