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Matching your symptoms to a condition
Matching your symptoms to a condition
When you have a common symptom like a stuffy nose or congestion, you don't always know what condition you have. Are those symptoms part of a cold, flu, allergic rhinitis or sinusitis? It is not always easy to know. Refer to the chart below to match your symptoms with the following conditions.
| Symptom | Cold | Flu | Allergic Rhinitis | Sinusitis |
| Congestion | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Cough | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Dizziness | Yes | Yes | Occassional | |
| Sore throat | Early | Mild | Yes | Yes |
| Runny nose | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Stuffy nose | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Sneezing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Nasal discharge | May be thick and yellow | Cloudy | Thin and clear | Thick, yellow-green |
| Duration | 5-7 days | 2-3 weeks | Episodic | Perpetual if not treated |
| Generalized aches and pains | Yes, often severe | Mild | ||
| Sweating | Yes | |||
| Extreme exhaustion | Early and prominent | |||
| Fatigue/weakness | Mild | Pronounced | Mild | Mild |
| Fever | High (102-104), lasts 3-4 days | Low grade | ||
| Headache | Rare | Yes | Yes | |
| Itchy nose/eyes/throat | Yes | |||
| Seasonal pattern | Yes | Yes (Winter) | Yes | Yes |
| Hoarseness | Yes | Yes | ||
| Facial pain | Yes | |||
| Bad breath | Yes |
Review Date:
6/18/2009
Reviewed By:
Frederic F. Little, MD, Department of Allergy and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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