Ah, spring is in the air. Can you smell it? No?

You may be one of the millions who dread this season because colds, allergies, and sinus problems can pop up like daisies and dandelions.

To keep you and your family healthy, it's always best to treat symptoms at the first sign of illness. However, if your symptoms persist, you may be dealing with allergies or sinus problems.

So when the sniffles hit this spring, how will you know if it's a cold, allergies, or sinus problem?

First, ask yourself a few questions:

• How long have you had your symptoms? A cold usually lasts about a week.
• Do you have a fever? While allergies may produce a low-grade fever, they are never accompanied by high fevers (more than 100 degrees).
• Do you have a headache? Are you congested, or do you feel pressure around the eyes? This could be a sign of sinus problems.

Then, check this list of common symptoms and how frequently they occur with colds, allergies, and sinus problems, according to experts at the Stanford University Medical Center. Be sure to speak with your doctor about your own symptoms to see if you have allergies or sinus problems.

View Common Symptoms in list form.