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Flu season isn’t over and allergy season is upon us
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It can be difficult to understand what may be causing the symptoms of congestion, itchy eyes, and coughing.
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An emergency medicine doctor advises that an over-the-counter drug may provide relief, but seek help if “anything feels different or strange.”
SATURDAY, April 4, 2026 (NewsDay News) – When your head is splitting, your nose is running non-stop, your eyes are itching and you’re coughing, coughing, coughing, what’s the best way to cope?
It depends on what’s causing your symptoms, he said Dr. Jan Tulbergan urgent care and family medicine provider at UCHealth in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
It could be a cold or seasonal allergy, however the flu the season isn’t over yet, so that’s a possibility, he said. So viruses like strep, pneumonia, lung cancer or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Your battle plan will vary depending on the cause you suspect.
Coolness: “The winds give you a runny nose, sometimes a sore throat, a cough, and even drainage in the eyes,” Tulberg said in a news release. “You can get a fever, but usually no body aches.”
In other words, you may feel angry, but you can still work. Over-the-counter medications can help, he says, and some studies have shown that zinc can slightly reduce your symptoms. But don’t overdo it. Too much zinc can be toxic.
“If you’ve had symptoms for more than two weeks,” Tullberg said, “Maybe you should seek some relief. There are symptomatic treatments we can offer.”
Be aware that the cold virus cannot turn into pneumonia, he added. If a cold leads to bronchitis or pneumonia, it is because it has affected your body’s defenses.
Viruses: Tulberg said RSV has symptoms similar to the common cold — sneezing, runny nose, cough, wheezing, fever and loss of appetite. Most people recover within a week, but because it can lead to pneumonia and bronchiolitis, it can be very serious in the elderly and infants. A nasal swab test can detect the virus.
Strep: The doctor may also test for strep throat, which usually affects children between the ages of 3 and 15. Its symptoms include fever, pus in the throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and sometimes a cough. A positive test results in the prescription of antibiotics.
Flu: Flu season isn’t over yet, so that might explain your unhappiness, Tullberg said. Symptoms include cough, chills, fever (100.4 degrees or higher), body aches, and even nausea and vomiting.
“I typically ask my patients, ‘Do you feel like you’ve been hit by a truck?'” Tullberg said. “If they say yes, then it leads more in that direction.”
For patients ages 5 to 65, over-the-counter medications can provide relief. Other people are at high risk, and Tullberg recommends seeing your primary care or emergency doctor.
Patients may ask about a product that has a name Tamifluthat it can help within 48 hours after the first symptoms, he said.
“It can prevent hospitalization for more serious complications like pneumonia, which is the leading cause of death from the flu,” Tullberg said. “And while Tamiflu has its side effects, it can cause stomach upset and vomiting.
Allergies: When it comes to flying pollen, your symptoms may be related to allergies. There are several signs that it is not cold.
“Usually, the inside of the nose is more pink than cool red,” Tullberg said, adding, “You’ll never get a fever with allergies. Like teething, it’s an old wives’ tale.”
Still, misery isn’t uncommon — especially if your allergies are accompanied by a significant sinus infection or “your nose is blocked and you feel a lot of pressure on your face,” she says. Most people with allergies recognize their specific symptoms.
The key: Seek help if “something feels different or strange,” advised Tullberg.
If your primary care doctor is unavailable, he recommends making an urgent care appointment online or in person.
More information
The Mayo Clinic has more tips to help you understand the difference between a cold and allergies.
Source: UCHhealth Today, March 26, 2026
What does this mean for you?
All kinds of things can explain the seasonal symptoms of coughs, headaches, runny noses, and itchy eyes. An emergency doctor can help.
