Ah-choo! Is it a Cold, Hay Fever, Sinusitis or the Flu?

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Comparison Chart
Ah-choo! Is it a Cold, Hay Fever, Sinusitis or the Flu?

Name
Symptoms
Causes
Onset & duration of
Prevention
Treatment
symptoms
Common Cold
• No
fever
More than 200 different viruses,
•
Usually comes on gradually
Frequent hand washing
•
Bed rest & plenty of fluids
(“Head Cold”)
•
No aches and pains
including:
• Most
common
Sept-April
•
Acetaminophen or aspirin for

•
Still have an appetite
•
Rhinovirus (nose virus)
•
Adults will get 2-4 colds/year
headache/ fever

• Sore
throat
•
RSV (respiratory syncytial
•
Children will get up to 12
•
See a physician if cold lasts
•
Runny, stuffy nose
virus)
colds/year
more than 10 days
• Sneezing
• Corona
viruses
•
Colds are a powerful asthma
•
Most prominent symptoms
trigger
are in the nose
•
Lasts about one week
Flu
• Sudden
fever,
chills
Viruses, spread by:
•
Usually comes on suddenly
•
Highly recommended to get
Most people recover without
(Influenza)
•
Aching muscles and joints
•
Sneezed or coughed droplets
•
Lasts about a week
a flu shot to prevent the flu,
treatment

• Headache

into the air from an infected

especially if history of
•
Severe malaise
person
asthma, recurrent ear
•
Dry cough & lack of appetite •
Cold & dry weather, as people
infections, and sinusitis.
•
Blocked and/or runny nose
spend more time close together
•
Best time for flu shot is Oct -
•
Your ” whole body” feels sick
indoors.
Nov
Allergic Rhinitis
• No
fever
Exposure to irritants/triggers:
•
Weeks, months or all year.
Avoid triggers; for example:
• Antihistamines
(“Hay Fever”)
• Congestion
• Dust
mites
•
Symptoms last as long as
•
Remove carpeting to reduce
•
Intranasal steroids

•
Runny or stuffy nose (clear,
• Animal
dander
you are exposed to the
dust mites and mould
•
Immunotherapy may help
white thin mucus)
• Pollen
allergen.
•
Air conditioning may help
• Sneezing
• Mould
spores
reduce mould
•
Itchy nose, throat and eyes
•
Use mattress and pillow
•
Cough is rare
covers to reduce dust mites
Non-allergic Rhinitis
• Sneezing
Exposure to irritants/triggers:
•
Symptoms occur directly
•
Avoid triggers, especially
•
Tends to get better when not
(“Vasomotor Rhinitis”)
• Runny
nose

• Tobacco
smoke
following exposure to
second-hand tobacco smoke
exposed to trigger(s)
• No
fever
• Cold
air
irritants

• Alcohol

• Perfume
Sinusitis
•
Thick yellowish/green nasal
•
Caused by bacterial infection in
•
Can last weeks, months or
•
Sinus drainage medications
•
Inhaled nasal corticosteroids
discharge
most cases
even years
(e.g. decongestants) during
• Decongestants

• Facial
tenderness
•
Usually occurs as a late

times of increased
•
Antibiotics to control a bacterial
• Headache
complication of a common cold
susceptibility, such as flu
infection, if present
• Congestion
• Those
with
asthma/allergies
and cold season
•
Pain relievers to reduce any pain
• Fatigue
may also be predisposed to the

or fever
• Fever
development of sinusitis.
•
Steam inhalations and/or nasal
saline washes

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