What's causing your sniffles? We'll give you a clue. Let Puffs help you spot a cold from the flu, and allergies too.

Colds

• Transmitted through touch.
• Results from contact with individuals or objects.
• May begin slowly, two or three days after infection with the virus.
• Usually starts with a sore throat, followed by sneezing and a runny nose.
• May experience a yellow or green nasal discharge, congestion, or a slightly elevated temperature.
• Hacking cough, fatigue, and weakness are common.
• Symptoms generally last two days to a week.

Flu

• Transmitted by air.
• Just being in a room with germs. Headache, dry cough, and chills often signal sudden onset.
• Muscle aches, often in the legs and back, or a high fever.
• May experience extreme fatigue—a "knocked out" feeling.
• Respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion and sore throat are common.

Allergies

• Symptoms: Runny nose with thin, watery discharge; sneezing; congestion; wheezing; itchy nose, throat, and eyes
• Onset: Symptoms begin almost immediately after exposure to allergen(s). If allergies are seasonal, symptoms occur at the same time every year. If allergies are perennial, symptoms are present year-round.
• Duration: Symptoms last as long as you are exposed to the allergen.

This information is provided by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.