Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Comparison Chart Ah-choo! Is it a Cold, Hay Fever, Sinusitis or the Flu?

Name Symptoms Causes Onset & duration of Prevention Treatment symptoms Common Cold • No fever More than 200 different viruses, • Usually comes on gradually Frequent hand washing • Bed rest & plenty of fluids (“Head Cold”) • No aches and pains including: • Most common Sept-April • Acetaminophen or aspirin for • Still have an appetite • Rhinovirus (nose virus) • Adults will get 2-4 colds/year headache/ fever • Sore throat • RSV (respiratory syncytial • Children will get up to 12 • See a physician if cold lasts • Runny, stuffy nose virus) colds/year more than 10 days • Sneezing • Corona viruses • Colds are a powerful asthma • Most prominent symptoms trigger are in the nose • Lasts about one week Flu • Sudden fever, chills Viruses, spread by: • Usually comes on suddenly • Highly recommended to get Most people recover without (Influenza) • Aching muscles and joints • Sneezed or coughed droplets • Lasts about a week a flu shot to prevent the flu, treatment • Headache into the air from an infected especially if history of • Severe malaise person asthma, recurrent ear • Dry cough & lack of appetite • Cold & dry weather, as people infections, and sinusitis. • Blocked and/or runny nose spend more time close together • Best time for flu shot is Oct - • Your ” whole body” feels sick indoors. Nov Allergic Rhinitis • No fever Exposure to irritants/triggers: • Weeks, months or all year. Avoid triggers; for example: • Antihistamines (“Hay Fever”) • Congestion • Dust mites • Symptoms last as long as • Remove carpeting to reduce • Intranasal steroids • Runny or stuffy nose (clear, • Animal dander you are exposed to the dust mites and mould • Immunotherapy may help white thin mucus) • Pollen allergen. • Air conditioning may help • Sneezing • Mould spores reduce mould • Itchy nose, throat and eyes • Use mattress and pillow • Cough is rare covers to reduce dust mites Non-allergic Rhinitis • Sneezing Exposure to irritants/triggers: • Symptoms occur directly • Avoid triggers, especially • Tends to get better when not (“Vasomotor Rhinitis”) • Runny nose • Tobacco smoke following exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke exposed to trigger(s) • No fever • Cold air irritants • Alcohol • Perfume Sinusitis • Thick yellowish/green nasal • Caused by bacterial infection in • Can last weeks, months or • Sinus drainage medications • Inhaled nasal corticosteroids discharge most cases even years (e.g. decongestants) during • Decongestants • Facial tenderness • Usually occurs as a late times of increased • Antibiotics to control a bacterial • Headache complication of a common cold susceptibility, such as flu infection, if present • Congestion • Those with asthma/allergies and cold season • Pain relievers to reduce any pain • Fatigue may also be predisposed to the or fever • Fever development of sinusitis. • Steam inhalations and/or nasal saline washes