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Autumn is just around the corner, bringing with it a spike in colds and allergies. Kids, in particular, are more susceptible to contagious illnesses, which are sometimes tough to recognize.

“Colds, strep throat and other infectious illnesses get going when kids are back in school and passing things around,” says Dr. Andy Nish, an allergist and fellow of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.

But how do you distinguish between a cold, an allergy or something else? Seasonal allergies affect roughly 36 million people annually, says Nish, and 15 percent to 20 percent of kids have allergies by the age of 10.

Here are some tips on recognizing and preventing four common fall ailments:

Colds
A cold can be caused by hundreds of different viruses. “We see a lot of viruses in the fall,” says Daphne Hirsh, a pediatrician at Northwestern Children’s Practice in Chicago. “It’s typical for young kids to get six to ten colds a year until their immunity builds up.”

Colds and allergies have a lot of overlap, such as headaches, sneezing, coughing and runny nose. Yet a cold should go away within two weeks. If the symptoms persist, the problem could be allergies or something else.

Although flu shots begin in October, influenza doesn’t peak until winter. If symptoms are more severe and include high fever and body aches, it might be the flu, in which case consult a doctor immediately.

Prevention: Doctors advise people to wash their hands frequently and to avoid touching their face; both measures can prevent being contaminated by germs. As a parent, also wash toys regularly, change toothbrushes if a child has been sick and carry hand sanitizers.

Hay Fever
Hay Fever symptoms include sneezing, itching, runny nose, nasal congestion and itchy, watery eyes. The good news is children under two are unlikely to have seasonal allergies. However, “the incidence of allergies increases from early childhood into late adolescence,” Nish says.

Prevention: Nish suggests taking these steps to reduce their affects:

• Keep windows closed in the car and at home.
• Spend time outdoors in the evening when pollen levels may be lower.
• Don't dry clothes outside.
• Take a shower when returning from the outdoors.

If symptoms persist, seek help from a primary doctor, allergist or other specialist. For more information on adult and childhood allergies, visit www.aaaai.org/patients/gallery.

Asthma
Weather changes often can trigger asthma, a treatable chronic condition. Some forms are also caused by allergies, in which case measures to avoid allergies should be taken.

Prevention: Since other illnesses can bring on asthma, children coming down with a cold can use an inhaler to prevent an attack. If your child is having unusually labored or very rapid breathing, see a physician right away. “Be proactive—don’t wait until it gets out of hand,” Hirsh says.

Strep Throat
Typical strep throat symptoms are fever, sore throat, swollen glands and some nausea. Hirsh says strep is more common in the late autumn and winter.

Prevention: Bacteria causes strep throat and is transmitted the same way as a virus. As with a cold, frequent hand washing is the best prevention.

Does Hay Fever Vary Geographically?
Ragweed – the prime cause of fall allergies – is most prominent in the northeast, south and midwest. Hay fever typically starts around mid-August in colder climates and later in warm ones. Still, pollen travels up to 400 miles, and all regions are affected by allergies.

Trust Your Instincts – and Your Kids
Although preventative measures can’t completely eliminate seasonal health issues, they can lessen their severity. “Fortunately, kids are pretty good at letting parents know when something is really wrong,” Hirsh says.