It's that time of year again.

Lots of "illness" going around right now.

But is it all virus related? or is it just allergies?

Flu brings on fever and body aches and you have zero energy. So it's pretty obvious when you have the flu.

But how to tell the difference between a cold and allergies?

It's currently allergy time in ABQ believe it or not. Juniper likes to rear up this time of year and Elm is high right now. [link]

It's difficult to tell the difference between a cold and allergies as they share many of the same symptoms (sneezing, coughing, congestion, runny nose, tired). But your eyes will tell you. If your eyes are itchy and watery, it's allergies, not a cold.

Also, if your symptoms have lasted for more than a week it's allergies.

For allergies I find eye drops and a neti pot sinus wash extremely helpful. Use them a couple of times a day (especially after being outside). Remember to boil your neti pot water first or used distilled and use non iodized salt.