Influenza becomes one of the biggest problems of people, especially in cold winter months or seasonal transitions. Many people, especially in certain periods, come under the influence of the flu, causing them to encounter many negative situations in their social life, family life and business life. Influenza, as everyone knows, is a highly contagious disease. Even if this disease is seen in one person in the family, the same complaints occur in a very short time in other family members. Influenza is a disease that causes discomfort to the person and reduces the quality of life of people due to the damage caused by the viruses that occur due to infections and continue to live in the respiratory tract of the person. The disease is a disease that shows a contagious feature from person to person and creates its effects in about a day or two after entering the body.
Influenza and pollen allergy are confused in many patients, especially during seasonal changes. Therefore, unnecessary drug treatments and even antibiotic applications are made. However, pollen allergy and flu can be separated from each other.
In which situation should ALLERGY come to mind?
1. If complaints occur in contact with allergen. Having similar spring months every year.
2. Itching in the nose, throat and ears.
3. Sneezing repeatedly, sometimes more than 10 times in a row
4. Having a watery and copious runny nose,
5. Itching in the eyes accompanied by complaints of redness and watering.
6. Occasional congestion in the nose, sometimes on the right and sometimes on the left.
7. Absence of fever.
8. Complaints are long-lasting, sometimes all seasons.
9. Having attacks of eczema or urticaria (hives) on the skin in the past or at the same time.
10. Having similar complaints among other family members, especially siblings and relatives
.
It brings to mind that it may be allergic.
The criteria published by international associations guide us in this regard. The questions set by ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) help us a lot in distinguishing between allergic rhinitis and upper respiratory tract infections.
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Question |
ANSWER Options |
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|
Do you have any of the complaints below? |
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Symptoms on one side of the nose only |
YES |
NO |
|
Dark green or yellow nasal discharge |
YES |
NO |
|
Postnasal discharge (down the back of your throat) and dark mucus and/or watery nose |
YES |
NO |
|
Constant pain in your face |
YES |
NO |
|
Recurrent nosebleeds |
YES |
NO |
Loss of sense of smell |
YES |
NO |
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2. Are any of the following symptoms present for at least one hour most days? |
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Wet, watery nose |
YES |
NO |
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Sneezing, especially severe and in fits |
YES |
NO |
|
stuffy nose |
YES |
NO |
|
Itchy nose |
NO |
|
|
Conjunctivitis (red, itchy eyes) |
YES |
NO |
