Pollen is blanketing NC, and your symptoms might not be a cold. What to know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Pollen counts in central and eastern North Carolina reached moderate to very high levels.
- Allergies persist for weeks and recur; colds generally resolve within seven to ten days.
- Reduce exposure by checking counts, staying indoors on high days and starting meds early.
Spring pollen season is underway in North Carolina, and the overlap between allergy and cold symptoms is making it hard for many to tell what’s causing their misery. An allergist shared tips on spotting the difference and reducing exposure during peak pollen weeks.
FULL STORY: Is it allergies or a cold? How to tell the difference as pollen blankets NC
Here are key takeaways:
• How to tell them apart: Colds tend to last seven to 10 days, while allergies “come and go for weeks or even months,” said Dr. Neeta Ogden, an allergist with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
• Watch for these clues: Viral infections like the flu or a head cold often bring more systemic symptoms. “Flu in particular has high fever,” Ogden said, while strep throat may cause severe throat pain and inflamed tonsils with white patches — something “not typical with allergy.”
• Pollen is already surging: A yellow haze has been spotted across central and eastern North Carolina, with “moderate to very high” rates of tree and grass pollen, according to The Weather Channel.
• We’re in peak season: The pollen count typically peaks between the last week of March and the second week of April.
• How to protect yourself: Ogden recommends limiting time outdoors on high-pollen days, starting allergy medications at least two weeks before pollen season begins, checking the pollen count before heading out and keeping doors and windows closed.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.