Cold vs. Allergies

I saw a segment on the news a while back about how you can tell if you have a cold versus if you have allergies. The concern being that if it is a cold, you really don’t want to be around people spreading your germs whereas with allergies you aren’t contagious so you don’t have to worry about making anyone else sick. One of the major ways you can tell if you have a cold is if you have a fever. I have always heard the adage that if you have a fever, you are probably contagious. Not sure if this is true but I figure it is probably a good adage with which to live by.

I woke up this morning sneezing and coughing and with a stuffy nose. Miserable. But is it a cold or is it allergies? I really never had allergies until about 10 years ago. Then I started developing symptoms and my doctor sent me to an allergist to get tested. I tested positive to pollen from trees and flowers, dust mites and cats. Yes, cats. I know, I know…I have cats. But the doctor said that my allergy to cats is so mild and my allergies to everything else is so much worse that getting rid of my cats would be negligible in my feeling better. And I wouldn’t have my nice cute cats to love. I just have to be careful about petting them and then touching my eyes or nose. So if I hold them and pet them, I always go and wash my hands and change my shirt. If I just pat them without holding them I just need to wash my hands. Otherwise, living with the cats doesn’t seem to make me more allergic.

Getting back to this morning. Sneezing and coughing and stuffy nose. Not just a little sneezing but SNEEZING. Over and over again. But is it a cold? No, don’t think so. I don’t have a fever and, when I’m not sneezing (and coughing), I don’t feel that bad. So it is allergies. Of course, knowing this doesn’t make me feel better. I still feel miserable when I’m sneezing (and sneezing and sneezing and sneezing) but at least I don’t have to stay home. I can’t pass this on to anyone else. I just wonder if it is something that is blooming outside or if it is the flowers I bought yesterday. Either way, I am not inclined to close the windows or get rid of the flowers. I may feel miserable but I don’t feel THAT miserable. After all, the fresh, spring air is wonderful and the flowers are just so beautiful. I can tolerate my allergies in order to enjoy the spring and fresh flowers. Just like I tolerate my allergies in order to enjoy having my cats. I refuse to let a little sneezing (and sneezing and sneezing and sneezing) get in the way of my life. Excuse me…need to get some more Kleenex!