Spring in Melbourne brings warmer days and longer evenings. For many people, it also brings back the sneezing and the blocked nose.
When hay fever comes around every year, it’s easy to assume pollen is behind it. But colds, influenza, and other respiratory viruses still circulate during spring, and what they cause can overlap with allergies.
So, how can you tell whether you’re dealing with hay fever, a cold, or the flu?
Why Hay Fever and Viral Illness Can Feel Similar
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, happens when your immune system reacts to an allergen such as pollen or mould. A cold or influenza, by contrast, is caused by a viral infection.
The causes differ, but both can leave you congested and worn out. Looking at the whole picture, rather than one symptom on its own, gives you a clearer idea of what’s going on.
Comparing the Symptoms
While there’s some overlap, a few key differences can help you tell them apart.
|
Symptom |
Hay Fever |
Cold |
Flu |
| Sneezing | Common | Common | Sometimes |
| Runny or blocked nose | Common | Common | Sometimes |
| Itchy nose, throat, or eyes | Common | Uncommon | Uncommon |
| Sore throat | Sometimes | Common | Sometimes |
| Cough | Sometimes | Common | Common |
| Fever or chills | Never | Uncommon | Common |
| Body aches | Uncommon | Sometimes | Common |
| Fatigue | Sometimes | Common | Common |
| Headache | Sometimes | Sometimes | Common |
The clearest sign of hay fever is itchiness—itchy, watery eyes and an itchy nose or throat point to allergies rather than a virus.
Fever and body aches suggest the opposite. Both are far more common with influenza, and while a cold can bring aches too, they tend to be mild. Fever is uncommon with a cold in adults, and hay fever doesn’t cause one at all.
How Long Have Your Symptoms Lasted?
Timing helps too. How quickly things come on, and how long they last, is often the giveaway.
Hay fever continues for as long as you’re exposed to the allergen. It often flares after time outdoors, or on days when the Melbourne pollen count is high.
Colds build gradually and usually clear within 7 to 10 days, though a cough or congestion can hang on longer.
Flu symptoms come on suddenly and hit harder. Most people are through the worst in about a week, though tiredness can hang around longer.
You can also have hay fever and a virus at once, so things won’t always fit neatly into one category.
Don’t Assume Every Spring Sniffle Is Hay Fever
After a few years of hay fever, you know what your usual spring feels like. When that pattern changes, take notice.
If a fever or worsening cough joins the usual sneezing and itchy eyes, something is likely going on beyond allergies.
That matters most when you’re heading into work, school, or another shared space. If a contagious respiratory illness is behind it, staying home while you recover protects everyone around you.
One Melbourne risk to know about. Grass pollen season runs from October to December, when epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk is also highest. If you’ve got hay fever and find yourself wheezing or short of breath during or after a spring storm, seek medical help straight away.
Is Flu Still Around in Spring?
Although influenza is associated with winter, it circulates year-round. In most parts of Australia, the main flu season runs from June to September. Regular handwashing and staying home when you’re unwell are still worth doing well past that.
Vaccination works best when it’s timed ahead of the season. If you missed yours this year, your GP can talk you through whether it’s still worth having, and what to plan for next autumn.
A Note for Workplaces
Spring is a good time for employers to review staff vaccination records and occupational health requirements ahead of next season. Coolaroo Clinic runs an onsite corporate flu vaccination program each year from March to July, and can arrange bulk vaccinations for local businesses at other times.
When Should You See a GP?
Mild hay fever or a mild cold can usually be managed at home, but it’s worth speaking with your GP when things drag on or get worse.
Consider booking an appointment if:
- Your symptoms are getting worse instead of improving
- Your symptoms are disrupting sleep or everyday activities
- Your usual allergy treatment isn’t helping any more
- Your asthma feels harder to control than usual
- You develop a persistent fever or significant fatigue
- You experience wheezing, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing
A GP can work out what’s behind it and recommend the right treatment.
Managing Spring Symptoms with Coolaroo Clinic
At Coolaroo Clinic, our GPs can assess what’s going on and recommend the right next steps. Pathology and Hume City Pharmacy are both on site, so you can sort testing and any scripts you need in the same visit.
If this spring feels different from your usual hay fever, or things just aren’t improving, book an appointment with Coolaroo Clinic for advice suited to you.