Is it hay fever or a cold? How to tell the difference

At the first sign of a runny nose and sneezing, what do you do? 

Do you assume you’ve picked up a cold from somewhere? Or do you wonder if it’s your allergies acting up again?

With nearly 1 in 5 Australians experiencing hay fever, it’s worth checking with a health professional if you’re unsure. A doctor will not only help you tell the difference between hay fever and a cold, they’ll also be able to provide you with the right hay fever treatment. 

What is hay fever?

Hay fever—also called allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies—is a type of allergic reaction. Hay fever symptoms are usually triggered by certain types of grass and tree pollens. But people who have hay fever can also be triggered by dust mites, mould spores or animal skin and hair. Collectively, these triggers are known as hay fever allergens.

The term ‘hay fever’ is a bit of a misnomer. Symptoms don’t only flare up in response to hay. And fever is never a symptom of allergic rhinitis. 

Your hay fever symptoms can flare up depending on where you live in Australia and the time of year. And it literally depends on how the wind blows. That’s how pollens become more concentrated in the air in certain places and at certain times. 

For example, pollen counts are lower on the east coast of Australia. That’s because most winds come from the sea, and the coastal areas are protected from westerly winds by the Great Dividing Range. 

On the other hand, pollen counts are higher on the Victorian south coast. That’s because most winds are from the north carrying pollen from the northerly grasslands. 

In Australia, you can find out more about common allergenic pollen-producing plants—including where they grow and when they bloom—with this handy calendar.

Hay fever symptoms

Most people are familiar with the most common symptoms of hay fever: 

• sneezing 
• a runny or blocked nose
• itchy, red or watery eyes
• itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears

The severity of hay fever symptoms varies with the seasons. A doctor can diagnose hay fever when these typical symptoms develop during a particular season. Or they can perform an allergy test to check. 

But do you know some of the other, less common symptoms of hay fever? These include:

• loss of smell
• coughing
• pain around your temples and forehead
• headache
• earache
• feeling tired

Many people who have hay fever also have asthma. Asthma can flare up with the same allergy triggers (allergens) that contribute to hay fever.

Is hay fever contagious?

Hay fever is not contagious, as it isn’t spread by viruses or germs. Instead, hay fever is the response of your immune system to allergy triggers (allergens). 

On the other hand, common colds are caused by various viruses, collectively known as rhinoviruses. These viruses are transmitted by air and through close contact with someone who has a cold. 

It’s often hard to tell the symptoms of hay fever or a cold apart. 

Symptom check: is it hay fever or a cold? 

The table below will give you a snapshot of the differences and similarities between the symptoms of hay fever and the symptoms of the common cold.

How to alleviate hay fever symptoms

Currently, no medicine can ‘cure’ hay fever permanently. But there are many options for hay fever treatment that can help relieve your symptoms. You can ask a doctor or pharmacist about the right treatment for you.

Manage your hay fever by avoiding the triggers

The first step to managing your hay fever is to find out what triggers it. If it isn’t obvious what your main triggers are, a doctor can help you with an allergy test.

Once you know your triggers, you can work out ways to avoid them. If grass and tree pollen are causing your hay fever, for example, you could:

• check your local pollen count at PollenForecast.
• stay indoors:
  • until after midday, especially when the pollen count is high 
  • if it’s windy 
  • after thunderstorms
• keep windows closed at home
• use recirculating air conditioning in the car
• if your trigger is grass: avoid mowing, playing or walking in grassy areas
• remove possible trigger plants, weeds and grasses from your garden 
• plan holidays around the peaks of the pollen season