Allergies or a Virus? How to Tell the Difference This Spring

Sniffles, sneezing, or sore throat? Here’s how to know what you’re dealing with.

Spring has arrived in New York City. There’s warmth in the air—but also a lot of pollen. If you’re sniffling, you now have that age-old question: are my symptoms just allergies, or am I sick with a virus?

This is an issue I’ve been dealing with myself recently: a stuffy nose, post-nasal drip, a sore throat, and lots of sneezing. Here are five reliable ways to figure out what’s really going on.

1. Timing and Triggers

Allergies are extremely common, reported by 1 in 3 adults and more than 1 in 4 children in the U.S. symptoms often begin suddenly after exposure to pollen, dust, or mold and can persist for weeks or even months. In contrast, a cold or upper respiratory infection tends to build up slowly, peaks after a few days, and clears up within a week or so.

2. Sneezing and Itchiness Are Clues

Itchy eyes, nose, or throat—and frequent sneezing—are classic signs of allergies. These symptoms are rare with most viral infections. If you’re constantly rubbing your eyes or sneezing in fits, you’re likely reacting to allergens.

3. Fever and Fatigue

Fever, chills, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue point to an infection. Allergies might make you feel sluggish, but they don’t cause body aches or temperature changes.

4. At-Home Tests for Viruses

You can now buy over-the-counter tests that screen for COVID-19 and two types of flu. A positive result means you’ve got an infection. But a negative test doesn’t rule one out completely. It might be a virus not included in the kit. For COVID-19, it may mean you had the virus, but are outside of the infectious period.

5. Response to Medications

Allergy medications—like antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays—typically help within a day or two. If your symptoms improve, allergens are probably to blame. If not, it might be time to consider a viral cause.

Bottom Line

If you’re itchy, sneezy, but otherwise well, it’s probably allergies. But if you’re achy, fatigued, and have a sore throat, you may have picked up a virus. Either way, be kind to your body—and maybe keep some tissues close by.