Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Fever and Chills?
Seasonal allergies can be annoying and disrupt one’s day-to-day activities. But you are not alone in this. A lot of people face seasonal allergies, especially during spring and fall when pollen and mold spores are pretty much everywhere. According to CDC, more than 25% of adults and about 1in 5 children experience seasonal allergies in the US.
You might be asking yourself, “Can seasonal allergies cause fever?”
The short answer is no, seasonal allergies do not directly cause a fever. However, they do have symptoms that make you feel like you have mild fever. Let’s dive deeper into what allergies really are, how you can manage them if your child has it.
What are Allergies?
Allergies happen when your body’s immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance (like pollen or dust mites) as a threat and overreacts to it. This reaction triggers a bunch of symptoms, including sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and congestion. These reactions are your body’s way of trying to protect itself from the perceived invader.
As we embrace this vibrant season, we’d like to highlight our top five products for spring that will support your children in feeling their best:
We encourage you to try these products and share your feedback with us! Your experiences are invaluable in helping us cater to the needs of our community.
Understanding Allergic Rhinitis AKA Hay Fever
One of the most common types of allergies is called allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever. Despite its name, hay fever doesn’t involve hay and doesn’t cause a fever. The term "hay fever" comes from the time of year when symptoms often flare up which is during hay harvesting season. However, allergic rhinitis can occur either seasonally or year-round.
Hay fever is characterized by symptoms such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and sinus pressure. It doesn’t cause chills or fever, but the feeling of warmth and fatigue can make it feel like you’re running a low-grade fever.
The Difference Between Allergies, Flu, and Colds
It’s easy to confuse allergy symptoms with those of a cold or the flu because they can look quite similar. However, there are notable differences to keep in mind.
Allergies usually cause sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and sometimes fatigue or headaches. They come on quickly after exposure to allergens like pollen or pet dander and can last for weeks if your child is around the trigger. Unlike colds or flu, allergies don’t cause fever or chills.
Colds develop more slowly and often start with a sore throat, followed by sneezing, congestion, coughing, and occasionally a mild fever. Colds usually last about a week, though a cough can linger longer. Your child might feel achy or have slight chills, but it’s generally mild.
Flu hits suddenly and hard. Symptoms include fever (over 100.4°F), body aches, chills, fatigue, and cough. They may also have a headache, sore throat, or nausea. Flu symptoms are much more intense than a cold and can leave them feeling wiped out. And no, the flu is not the same as a fever.
The best way to tell the difference is to notice how fast symptoms start and how long they last. Allergies tend to hang around as long as your child is exposed, while colds and flu clear up in a week or two.
Symptoms of a Fever
A fever is a temporary increase in your body temperature, usually due to an infection. Common symptoms are:
Body temperature above 100.4°F (38°C)
Chills and shivering
Headache
Muscle aches
Fatigue
Sweating
Loss of appetite
If your child is experiencing these symptoms alongside your usual allergy issues, it may be a sign of an underlying infection rather than the allergies themselves.
Treatments for Seasonal Allergies
Allergies happen when your body’s immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance (like pollen or dust mites) as a threat and overreacts to it. This reaction triggers a bunch of symptoms, including sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and congestion. These reactions are your body’s way of trying to protect itself from the perceived invader.
As we embrace this vibrant season, we’d like to highlight our top five products for spring that will support your children in feeling their best:
We encourage you to try these products and share your feedback with us! Your experiences are invaluable in helping us cater to the needs of our community.
Short-Term Options
Antihistamines: Over-the-counter antihistamines help reduce sneezing, runny nose, and itching by blocking histamine production. In our practice, we only recommend antihistamines short term and utilize natural solutions whenever possible to help keep allergy symptoms at bay. We include things like quercetin rich foods, bromelain, vitamin C, NAC, homeopathic remedies available over the counter, and other options.
Nasal Sprays: Saline nasal sprays can help clear congestion, while corticosteroid sprays reduce inflammation. We reserve corticosteroids for severe cases and short term use, and offer options such as Nasalcrom or simple sinus rinses whenever possible.
Hydration: Drinking plenty of fluids helps thin mucus and soothe a sore throat.
Rest: Getting enough sleep helps the body recover and fight off fatigue caused by allergies.
Long-Term Options
We are all about working on root causes at Grove Health Pediatrics and building up kids health for the long term!
Support the gut microbiome: At Grove Health Pediatrics, we give the option of evaluating gut microbiome health. Emerging research strongly supports a role for gut microbiome health in modulating seasonal allergies. We utilize testing such as G.I. Map or Tiny Health to help customize a plan to support a healthy gut microbiome
Reducing Allergen Exposure: Clean your home frequently, use air purifiers, and wash your bedding regularly.
Allergy Immunotherapy: Treatments like allergy shots or drops gradually train their immune system to tolerate allergens.
Medications: Longer-term use of antihistamines or corticosteroid nasal sprays may be recommended for those who chronically suffer from allergies, however we minimize this as much as possible and provide natural solutions as well.
Regular Check-Ups: Consulting an allergist can help create a treatment plan to manage your child’s symptoms and monitor their progress.
Can Seasonal Allergies Cause Fever?
While seasonal allergies can make your child feel run-down and mimic some fever-like symptoms, they do not directly cause a fever. Managing allergies through a combination of short-term relief and long-term strategies can help them stay comfortable and reduce their risk of secondary infections.
If you’re unsure whether your child’s symptoms are due to allergies or something else, consulting with a healthcare professional from Grove Health Pediatrics can help you get to the root of the problem and find the most effective treatment.
Thank you for being a part of the Grove Health community! We’re honored to support your family’s health and wellness. Stay connected with us through our monthly newsletters and blog posts—we love sharing helpful tips and inspiration with you.
At Grove Health, our mission is to provide thoughtful, compassionate care that supports the whole child and empowers families. Your trust in us strengthens that mission, and we’re so grateful to walk alongside you on this journey.
With Gratitude,
The Grove Health Pediatrics Team