Anne M. Staveren, MD, is an allergist at our Los Angeles Medical Center. She spent some time with us this busy season to answer the four most common questions people have about allergies.

How do I know I have allergies and not a cold?

Many of the symptoms are similar, but [...]]]> Anne M. Staveren, MD, is an allergist at our Los Angeles Medical Center. She spent some time with us this busy season to answer the four most common questions people have about allergies.

How do I know I have allergies and not a cold?

Many of the symptoms are similar, but there are important differences. Colds usually get better in three to seven days, and they rarely last longer than two weeks. But allergies may last for a month or more. Seasonal allergies occur like clockwork at certain times of year, while colds are unpredictable.

What's the best way to find out if I have allergies?

If you find your seasonal allergy symptoms are more than just a nuisance, especially if you suffer from asthma or other lung conditions, and you are not sure what is causing your allergies, talk to your primary care physician so he or she is aware of your concerns. Your doctor may refer you to a board-certified allergist who is specially trained to diagnose and treat allergic and immunologic diseases. The allergist may recommend skin or blood tests to identify your allergic triggers, like grass pollen, dust mites, animal dander, or mold.

How can I relieve my allergy symptoms?

First: Avoid the offenders. Once you know what causes your allergies, avoid those things if possible. For example, if you are allergic to dogs, you may want to make your dog an outside pet. Or if you're allergic to pine, you can avoid taking walks outside when the pines shed their spores in the fall.

Second: Start preventive medication a few weeks before your seasonal allergies are due and continue it daily during the season.

If you find that you react to an indoor allergen, such as pet hair, dust mites, or pollen that comes in through open windows, try the following:

• Place HEPA filters in air purifiers and vacuum cleaners. They help reduce the number of small particles that can set off your allergies.
• Use allergy bed covers, dust your window blinds, and reduce clutter to limit pollen, dust mites, and animal dander that get trapped indoors.
• If these two actions don't ease your symptoms, allergy shots may help reduce your sensitivity to allergens.

Can allergies make my asthma worse?

Yes. Some allergens can trigger asthma attacks. Gaining greater control of the postnasal drip and secondary sinus infections that often accompany nasal allergies can help you stop asthma attacks. During your season of allergies, take extra care to monitor your asthma so it doesn't get out of control.

Chances are you or someone close to you has been sniffling and coughing. But can you tell if it's a cold or the flu? Could it be the swine flu? What should you do if the symptoms get worse?

About H1N1

"In general, the H1N1 swine flu is not more [...]]]> Chances are you or someone close to you has been sniffling and coughing. But can you tell if it's a cold or the flu? Could it be the swine flu? What should you do if the symptoms get worse?

About H1N1

"In general, the H1N1 swine flu is not more serious than regular seasonal flu," says Jared Spotkov, MD, chief of infectious diseases at our South Bay Medical Center and physician lead of our Pandemic Influenza Team in Southern California.

"However, pregnant women, younger persons (3 to 18 years), and people with chronic conditions like asthma are at greater risk of more severe illness, and that's why these groups in particular should be sure to receive the H1N1 vaccination this season."

The signs of H1N1 infection are similar to seasonal flu symptoms, and most people recover effectively at home with rest and over-the-counter remedies to manage fever, aches, and cough. But there are some potentially serious symptoms that you should immediately see a doctor about.

When you should take your child to the doctor

Get medical care immediately if your child shows any of the following symptoms:

• has unusually fast breathing or trouble breathing
• shows bluish or grayish skin color
• experiences severe or persistent vomiting
• is not drinking enough fluids or is unable to keep down fluids
• is lacking tears when crying, which indicates dehydration
• is so irritable that he or she doesn't want to be held
• is not interacting or not waking up

When you should see a doctor

Get medical care immediately if you or an adult family member shows any of the following symptoms:

• has chest pain or difficulty breathing
• shows purple or blue discoloration of the lips
• is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
• shows signs of dehydration like dizziness when standing or lack of urination
• is experiencing seizures
• is less responsive than normal or shows signs of confusion

"The occurrence of these or other severe symptoms require medical attention, whether or not this is from the flu," advises Spotkov. He adds, "Many times there are very mild or few symptoms with cold and flu viral infections."

Did you know that most people who have become ill with the H1N1 virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment? Learn how to spot the symptoms and treat the H1N1 flu.

Has your teen suddenly begun to score poorly on tests? Or have you noticed impulsive or risky behavior, such as drunken driving or drug and alcohol abuse, that you haven’t seen previously?

“Sometimes, parents notice a change in their child after some major life changes like switching schools or [...]]]> Has your teen suddenly begun to score poorly on tests? Or have you noticed impulsive or risky behavior, such as drunken driving or drug and alcohol abuse, that you haven’t seen previously?

“Sometimes, parents notice a change in their child after some major life changes like switching schools or starting college — and these changes could point to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),” says Mark Groshek, MD, a Kaiser Permanente doctor who has written extensively about ADHD.

Teens and younger children with ADHD often can function and work around more classic symptoms involving focus, paying attention in class, and inability to sit in one place. While some ADHD symptoms may not stand out, ADHD left untreated in children and adolescents could lead to depression or job instability later in life.

Other less obvious symptoms among children and teens include oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder. With ODD, children often have bad tempers, instigate arguments with parents, teachers, and other adults, and purposely break rules.

Children with ODD sometimes develop conduct disorder either in their preteen or teenage years.

“Kids with conduct disorder show defiant and disruptive behavior,” Groshek says. “They might hurt people or violate social rules, often in time spans lasting six months or more.”

If you suspect ADHD, Groshek recommends making an appointment with your pediatrician, who will examine the child to rule out other problems such as learning disabilities or depression. The doctor or a psychologist will then use the American Psychiatric Association criteria to evaluate your child for ADHD. Current treatments include counseling and/or behavior management techniques and social skills training. Medication, which recent studies show are not harmful, may be recommended to treat ADHD symptoms.

Think you may be battling depression? Our medical team offers information about the condition, where it stems from and what impact it can have on your life. Arm yourself with our basic facts about depression.