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Summer colds always seem more troublesome than winter ones. A stuffed-up nose and scratchy throat ruin weekends and vacations. We also are at a loss about how we could have caught this cold in the first place.

But before you assume what you have is a cold, don’t rule out allergies.

When a cold isn’t a cold:
Colds go away in a week or so…and you should start feeling better even before then. Allergies go on for long periods of time, depending on the seasonal trigger. Examples in most parts of the country where there are four seasons:

Trees - March through June
Grass – June through July
Weeds – August through October
Molds – Anytime during all four seasons

If cold symptoms last longer than a week and you live in the Omaha area, call 402-255-3878 or call the National Allergy Bureau 1-800-976-5536 (800-POLLEN). After entering your zip code, you’ll hear a recording that tells what plants are throwing off pollen in your area.

This information may help you and your doctor to understand what is triggering your symptoms and to pinpoint an allergy. You can rule out a summer cold if you see a seasonal pattern to your symptoms.

                    Colds can produce a fever. Allergies do not.
                    Allergies cause you to sneeze seven or eight times in a 
                    row. Your eyes and nose will itch, too. Neither is true of colds.

Preventing Summer Colds:
In winter, dry air helps viruses spread. The heat is on indoors, and the lower humidity during winter months dries nasal passages and leaves them more susceptible to infection. Because you are usually outside more during summer months and less in association with people who are ill, you’ll reduce your chances of picking up a viral bug. However, if you are inside a closed room or a building with the air conditioner blasting, the air can become dry and therefore prone to viruses.

Tried and proven rules for preventing any cold:
Wash your hands frequently.  Avoid family members or co-workers who are sneezing or blowing their nose.  Wipe down hard surfaces with a bleach solution (one part bleach to twenty parts water). Viruses can live on hard surfaces for more than one day.  Drink liquids (non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated) and maintain a humid environment (35% to 45% relative humidity).

Treating a summer cold:
Colds come on slowly, usually about two or three days after exposure. The first symptoms are usually a sore or scratchy throat followed by sneezing (one to two sneezes at a time), a runny nose, postnasal drainage and possibly fever.

The cough develops several days later and may linger. Symptoms generally last from two days to a week. The only cure is time. But you can help yourself feel better.  Rest your body.  Gargle every few hours with warm salt water to relieve the sting of a sore throat.  Drink lots of fluid to hydrate your system.  Take acetaminophen to relieve headache, slight fever, and body aches.  Avoid antibiotics. They don’t kill viruses. (IMPORTANT: Vitamin C does not relieve cold symptoms. In fact, mega doses may cause diarrhea and other discomforts.

When Symptoms Worsen:
Colds and even allergies can turn into nasty bacterial infections even if they are treated properly. Whatever stops up a nose and blocks normal drainage can lead to sinusitis.

You can recognize sinusitis by a greenish nasal mucus when you blow your nose…pressure over your sinuses…and sometimes a fever. In such cases, see your doctor, who will likely prescribe an antibiotic along with a decongestant. To prevent complications from nasal blockage due to a cold:

Use an over-the-counter decongestant which will dry up tissues in the nasal passages and open nasal passages. (Warning: Avoid over-the-counter varieties if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart palpitations. Men who have enlarged prostates should also avoid them.

Decongestants can cause insomnia, jitteriness, and heart palpitations.

Avoid antihistamines. They are not necessary for treatments of colds and can cause side effects.

Consider decongestant nasal sprays, which also relieve symptoms. Use them only up to five days. If you’re not better in a few days, see your doctor.

Allergy Relief:
To prevent complications from nasal blockage from an allergy, consider allergy medications to unblock nasal passages if your symptoms are mild.

Don’t expect to "recover" from your allergies. Seasonal allergies last throughout a season and will return next year. But you can at least find relief.