Allergies happen in spring, colds in the fall and the flu in winter, right? Not so fast. While you might associate certain times of year with one affliction or another, all three can hit any time of year, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention – especially when you travel. And since all three conditions share similar symptoms, it’s important to know what’s causing that crummy feeling so you can treat it quickly and get back into action. Here’s a cheat sheet to help you feel better fast.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
You’ve got allergies if…You’re suffering from itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and a runny, itchy and/or stuffed up nose (check for clear mucus).  Allergens such as pets, dust, mold and pollen from trees, grass and weeds trigger these sniffle-inducing symptoms. “Allergies are like a cold that never seems to go away,” says Eugene S. Hurwitz, MD, an allergist at Center for Allergy and Asthma of West Georgia in Atlanta. 

Treatment strategy: Take an over-the-counter antihistamine (such as Claritin or Zyrtec) to stop the sneezing and itchiness, and a decongestant to clear up a stuffy nose. If they don’t do the trick, see an allergist who can prescribe medications, such as steroid nasal sprays and prescription-strength antihistamines and eye drops. If your allergies are making you downright miserable, talk to your physician about allergy shots. They desensitize you to common allergy triggers (dust, mold, pet dander, pollen) and are 80 to 90 percent of effective, according to Dr. Hurwitz. You’ll need a shot once or twice a week for a few months and then every two to four weeks for several years, but it can mean saying sayonara to annoying allergy symptoms and medications. 

You’ve caught a cold if…You’re sneezing and sniffling from a runny nose (check for clear, yellow or green mucus, according to the Mayo Clinic) and have a mild to moderate cough. Sometimes sore throats and mild fevers can go along with having a cold. But itchiness isn’t part of the picture. “Colds are limited to several days to a week and should clear up,” says Dr. Hurwitz, “while allergies just go on and on.” 

Treatment strategy: Antibiotics won’t knock out a cold so stick with taking an over-the-counter decongestant to break up the stuffiness, a cough suppressant to put your hacking on hold, and an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease any aches. The best way to keep colds at bay is to wash your hands regularly. 

You’re fighting the flu if…Your runny stuffed up nose comes with a high-grade fever (a temperature of 101 degrees or higher) and chills, as well as muscle aches and pains that came on suddenly, according to Dr. Hurwitz. Flu sufferers tend to get hit with extreme fatigue and in some cases, headaches and a sore throat. A dry cough is also common and can become severe.

Treatment strategy: The flu is caused by a virus so see your primary care physician for prescription antiviral drugs (like Tamiflu or Relenza). When taken within two days of getting the flu, these medications shorten the time you’re under the weather by one to two days, according to the Mayo Clinic. Popping an over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory can help soothe muscle aches and pains. Next time, play it smart by getting a flu vaccine from your primary care physician or local clinic in October, November or December. The vaccine reduces the risk of getting the flu by 70 to 90 percent in healthy adults.