Almost everyone has had a cold. When you have a cold, nose will be watery, clogged, oritchy untilsneeze. The causes can vary, but the most common are allergies and viral infections. Simak The following explanation is about the difference between an allergic cold and a cold due to infection.
A cold, or in medical terms called rhinitis, is a sign of inflammation of the nose. This inflammatory process serves to fight off organisms, such as bacteria and viruses; or foreign objects, such as dust, animal hair, and cigarette smoke.
Colds usually only last a few days. But under certain conditions, colds can last up to several weeks, even months.
The difference between an allergic cold and a cold due to infection
The main difference between an allergic cold and a cold due to infection lies in the causative factor. Allergic colds occur because sufferers experience allergic reactions to allergy-triggering substances (allergens), such as dust, fleas, mold, animal dander or feces, perfume, cigarette or vehicle smoke, and cold weather. While the cold due to infection, the most frequent cause is a virus.
Symptoms between allergic colds and colds due to infection also have slight differences. Symptoms of an allergic cold can include:
- Nasal congestion.
- Runny nose (runny) with clear mucus or whitish color.
- Sneeze.
- Red, watery, and itchy eyes.
Symptoms of an allergic cold will appear shortly or some time after the body is exposed to an allergy-triggering substance.
While the cold infection, the symptoms can be more varied. Some of the symptoms of a cold due to infection are:
- Nasal congestion.
- Runny nose with whitish mucus if it's caused by a virus, or yellowish and green if it's caused by bacteria.
- Headache.
- Sore throat.
- Cough.
- Fever or chills.
- Muscle pain all over the body.
A person can catch a cold due to infection if he is in close proximity to someone who is suffering from this condition. Symptoms of an infectious cold usually appear within a few days after the virus or bacteria enters the body.
Cold Allergy Treatment and Cold due to Infection
Treatment of allergic colds is to avoid exposure to allergens or allergy triggering factors. Once the trigger is avoided, symptoms will usually improve on their own within a few days.
If the symptoms of an allergic cold are very bothersome, giving medication can help reduce the symptoms. Medications to reduce the symptoms of an allergic cold can include antihistamines (allergies) and decongestants (stuffy nose relievers). These medications are available in the form of tablets or capsules that are taken by mouth, and in the form of a nasal spray, either over-the-counter or with a doctor's prescription.
Meanwhile, to treat colds due to viral infections, you just need to get enough rest. This type of cold will usually go away on its own within a few days to 1-2 weeks. If accompanied by fever, you can take pain relievers, such as paracetamol. Antibiotics are only needed if the cold is caused by a bacterial infection, and their use should be based on the doctor's advice.
Steps to Prevent Allergic Colds and Colds due to Infection
There are several steps that can be taken to prevent colds, both due to allergies and infections, namely:
- Know the trigger factors for allergies and as much as possible avoid contact with these allergens.
- Don't rub your nose because it can cause injury and infection.
- Diligently wash hands with soap and water.
- Keeping the environment clean and maintaining air quality so that it is always clean.
- Wearing a mask when traveling or when someone is sick at home or at work.
- Get enough rest.
- Stay away from cigarette smoke.
Sometimes, colds due to allergies and infections can occur together. A study shows that viral infections can worsen the symptoms of an allergic cold, but this still needs further research
To prevent and treat colds due to allergies and infections, try the methods above. However, if the cold often recurs, the triggering factor is unknown, or it causes shortness of breath, wheezing, or severe coughing, you should immediately consult an ENT doctor.
Written by:
dr. Riana Nirmala Wijaya
