What is The Difference Between a Summer Cold and Hay Fever?

Content by

Chemist Click

Authored by

Abbas Kanani MRPharmS

Last Updated

19 June 2025

Table of Contents

What are the Similarities Between a Summer Cold and Hay Fever?
What are the Most Common Differences?
Timing: A Key Factor in Distinguishing the Difference
Where To Go If You Have Hay Fever

Whether it’s a sore or scratchy throat, continuous sneezing or watery eyes, it can be hard to tell if you’re coming down with a summer cold or just dealing with hay fever.

Both can hit around the same time, and with such similar symptoms, it’s easy to mix them up. However, knowing which one you’re battling can make a big difference in how you treat it and how fast you’ll feel better.

In this article we delve deep into what sets them apart, so you’ll know whether to grab the tissues and rest up or head for the antihistamines and avoid the pollen.

What are the Similarities Between a Summer Cold and Hay Fever?

The most similar symptoms between and cold and hay fever are sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, coughing and fatigue.

What are the Most Common Differences?

The most common difference is that hay fever symptoms are a reaction to an allergen, which causes seasonal symptoms such as itchy eyes and a tickly, sore throat. A summer cold, on the other hand, is triggered by a virus that often causes body aches, a mild fever and can leave you feeling run-down for several days.

Timing: A Key Factor in Distinguishing the Difference

According to the most recent NHS guidelines, hay fever can last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which tends to go away after 1 to 2 weeks.

Colds often appear suddenly and are more common in the colder months, while hay fever tends to follow seasonal patterns, flaring up when pollen levels rise, usually in spring or early summer.

Where To Go If You Have Hay Fever

If you’re in need of a hay fever remedy, Chemist Click offers a range of antihistamine tablets and hay fever nasal spray. Our team of qualified pharmacists can help you with any questions you may have, you can send your query via our contact form.

Sources

NHS.UK (n.d). Hay Fever. Retrieved 15th April 2025, from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.