What Are the Differences between Allergies and A cold?

There are many similarities in symptoms of cold and allergy. If a person is suffering from a symptom like runny nose then he might be confused whether he is suffering from cold or allergy as they both share the same symptoms. Many types of viruses are responsible for causing cold. Immune system is weakened by the viruses which are responsible for cold. Cough and congestion of nose are some of the symptoms experienced by the person suffering from cold. Cold is a contagious viral infection and can be spread due to coming in contact with the person affected with it. After 2 weeks or more the immune system destroys the virus causing cold. Allergies are of many types such as pollen allergy, food allergy.

The body of the person suffering from allergy releases histamine chemicals and can experience symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion. However allergies do not spread from a person to person. Cold remains for 3-14 days whereas allergy remains for many days and even months. It takes some time for a person to develop cold symptoms whereas the symptoms of the allergies can be seen immediately after coming in contact with the allergen.