What is hay fever?

What is hay fever? 

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever isn't caused by a virus. Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, or tiny flecks of skin and saliva shed by cats, dogs, and other animals with fur or feathers (pet dander).

Besides making you miserable, hay fever can affect your performance at work or school and generally interfere with your life. But you don't have to put up with annoying symptoms. You can learn to avoid triggers and find the right treatment.

How do hay fever symptoms differ from other conditions?

Although the symptoms of hay fever and the symptoms of a cold can feel similar, the biggest difference is that a cold will cause a fever and body aches. Treatments for both condition are also very different.

Difference	Hay fever	Cold
Timing	Hay fever begins immediately after exposure to an allergen.	Colds begin one to three days after exposure to a virus.
Duration	Hay fever lasts for as long as you are exposed to the allergens, typically several weeks.	Colds usually last just three to seven days.
Symptoms	Hay fever produces a runny nose with a thin, watery discharge.	Colds cause a runny nose with thicker discharge that may be yellow in color.
Fever	Hay fever does not cause a fever.	Colds typically cause a low-grade fever.