Overview
Colds and allergies both affect the respiratory system and can share symptoms like sneezing and a runny nose, but they differ in cause and duration. Colds are viral infections that develop over a few days and resolve within 7–10 days, often with body aches and fever. Allergies are immune responses to allergens like pollen or dust and can last as long as exposure continues. Allergies do not cause fever or body aches and symptoms tend to appear suddenly after allergen contact.
Disease Summaries
Common cold: Common cold is an infection of the nose and throat. Symptoms include coughing, runny nose, and throat pain. Most colds are caused by viruses; a few are caused by bacteria.
Allergies: A condition caused by allergens like pollen and dust mites, resulting in a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
Comparing Symptoms
Overlapping Symptoms
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Watery eyes
Common cold Specific Symptoms
- Gradual onset
- Low-grade fever
- Body aches or chills
- Fatigue
- Thick, yellow or green nasal discharge
- Usually resolves in 7–10 days
Allergies Specific Symptoms
- Sudden onset after allergen exposure
- No fever or body aches
- Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
- Clear, watery nasal discharge
- Symptoms persist or recur seasonally or with triggers
Treatment Approaches
Common cold Treatment Approaches
The common cold usually resolves on its own and does not require specific treatment. Healthcare professionals can suggest ways to alleviate symptoms.
Allergies Treatment Approaches
The condition typically improves when the trigger, such as pollen, is removed. A doctor may prescribe oral medications, eye drops, or nose sprays to alleviate symptoms.
Reviewed By:

Kenji Taylor, MD, MSc (Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Dr. Taylor is a Japanese-African American physician who grew up and was educated in the United States but spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as a college student, working professional and now father of three. After graduating from Brown, he worked in finance first before attending medical school at Penn. He then completed a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control before going on to specialize in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was also a chief resident. After a faculty position at Stanford, he moved with his family to Japan where he continues to see families on a military base outside of Tokyo, teach Japanese residents and serve remotely as a medical director for Roots Community Health Center. He also enjoys editing and writing podcast summaries for Hippo Education.

Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Apr 29, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
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https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(03)12162-9/fulltextPassioti M, Maggina P, Megremis S, Papadopoulos NG. The common cold: potential for future prevention or cure. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014 Feb;14(2):413. doi: 10.1007/s11882-013-0413-5. PMID: 24415465; PMCID: PMC7088639.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11882-013-0413-5Siddiqui ZA, Walker A, Pirwani MM, Tahiri M, Syed I. Allergic rhinitis: diagnosis and management. Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2022 Feb 2;83(2):1-9. doi: 10.12968/hmed.2021.0570. Epub 2022 Feb 23. PMID: 35243888.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35243888/