Here’s how to tell: colds come with a fever, body aches, or a sore throat that gets worse over days. Hayfever hits fast, comes with itchy eyes, and usually lasts as long as you’re exposed to the allergen. If your nose runs like a leaky faucet but you feel otherwise fine, it’s probably allergies.
Another tell: hayfever makes you sneeze in rapid succession—ah-choo, ah-choo, ah-choo—whereas a cold sneezes are more sporadic. And your throat might tickle, but it won’t hurt like swallowing glass.
If you’ve had the same “cold” for three weeks and it’s not getting worse or better, welcome to the club—you’ve got October hayfever. Grab a box of tissues and a pumpkin spice latte, and carry on.
