Allergies and Immunologists Ann Arbor MI

Those who suffer from seasonal allergies often wonder whether their risk of getting sick is increased.  And as if the discomfort of your allergy symptoms isn't enough, getting a cold or flu on top of them can make you truly miserable.

But you don't have to succumb to the influx of germs that exists at this time of year. If you keep your allergies well managed and take proper steps for germ control, you may be able to avoid catching other illnesses. Consider the following facts that can make a difference in your health this winter.

Similar Symptoms

First, it's important to know that having allergies doesn't cause you to get a cold or flu, but it can cause symptoms that look very similar. In fact, sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between allergies and illness. In addition, there are some situations that can occur that do cause your allergies and related asthma symptoms to make you more susceptible to falling prey to viruses and other germs.

Is it Allergies or are you Sick?

When you suddenly start to sneeze, you may wonder if your allergies are acting up—or if you're actually getting sick, as the difference is often hard to tell.  Allergies and illness both occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign invader. As a result, both conditions can have many of the same symptoms, but there are some telltale differences. For instance, an allergy and a cold can cause a sore throat, sneezing and runny nose. But a cold may also cause an elevated body temperature, a headache and achiness. In addition, a cold may last for a week or 10 days, while allergies exist for as long as you are exposed to the allergen. In many cases, this means that the allergy symptoms can linger for weeks on end.....

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