Common Allergies or the Seasonal Cold?
It's definitely not common sense.
“Sometimes it is difficult for people to determine if sniffles, sneezes, sore throat and coughs are caused by allergies, a cold or even sinusitis. Dr. Morosky explains that nasal allergy symptoms and common cold symptoms are essentially identical.”
https://www.starlingphysicians.com/spring-is-here-5-things-allergy-sufferers-need-to-know/
If one subscribes to the germ theory of disease, they are of the understanding that there is one cause for every disease. It is this cause that separates one disease, which is nothing more than a series of signs or symptoms with an accepted name, from another. The assumed cause necessitates the different name supplied to these symptoms. When one experiences symptoms, it is said to be due to singular causes such as a specific allergen, bacterium, parasite, mold, fungus, or “virus.” The symptoms experienced are a sign that the body is at war with one of these outside invaders that have somehow found its way within. The body is working hard to destroy these “pathogens” before too much damage is done. The symptoms are viewed as a harmful process brought about by the pathogen, and in many cases, it is determined that these symptoms need to be suppressed with certain drugs. This is meant to eliminate whatever is determined by the doctors to be the ultimate cause of the disease.
“Fever, chills, body aches, and cough. All the symptoms seem the same for a cold, the flu, seasonal allergies, and coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.”
However, there is an alternate way of viewing disease, known as the terrain theory, which acknowledges that there is no one single cause for the signs and symptoms one experiences. This theory states that disease is a multifactorial process that ultimately depends upon the environmental condition of the body. This internal environment is determined by the foods we eat, the drinks we consume, the toxins and poisons we are exposed to, the stressors we deal with, etc. The symptoms one experiences are due to the body attempting to expel any toxic overload it has accumulated over time in order to reestablish a balanced internal environment. These symptoms are seen as part of the same healing process, often referred to as detoxification, that must be allowed to occur unencumbered. Suppressing the symptoms with drugs will only stop this process, leading to a worsening state of dis-ease in the future as the body is unable to eliminate whatever waste it needed to rid itself of at that time.
Depending on whichever lens you view things from, you will have very different interpretation as to what disease is. For instance, if one follows germ theory, the symptoms of itchy and watery eyes with congestion will be considered as an allergic reaction that was caused by allergens stemming from pollen, dust, dander, etc. The person is diagnosed with seasonal allergies and given medicines in order to treat these symptoms. If one is suffering the same symptoms but with added aches and pains along with a fever (also seen in allergy cases), this will most likely be diagnosed as a common cold with an assumed “viral” cause. Once again, medications will be given to suppress the symptoms. If these same symptoms are more harsh, it will be diagnosed as a flu and even more medications will be prescribed. So on and so forth.
“When you catch a cold, symptoms may be almost identical to those of allergies.”
Meanwhile, someone looking through the terrain prism will notice these symptoms and understand that they are all varying stages of the same healing process. The severity depends upon how much toxic burden the body must unload. Rather than resorting to pharmaceutical products, a terrain person will examine what they have done recently that may have built up a toxic overload within. What foods and drinks were they consuming? Were they exercising regularly? Were they getting enough sleep? What kinds of stressors were they dealing with or avoiding? A terrain person will give themselves plenty of rest and they will allow the symptoms to play out as the body heals. They will look to correct any perceived imbalances or exposures to environmental toxins that may have brought about a needed detox.
“Although both conditions can cause similar symptoms, such as a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing, Dr. Mehra explained, the key difference between the two ailments is the cause.”
It is through the terrain lens that I approach any discussion relating to causes of dis-ease. If someone asks me what is the cause of the symptoms of a cold, flu, respiratory “infection,” etc., I will say that there are possibly many factors that can lead to the expression of these symptoms which are all a part of the same healing process. I will never claim a specific cause as that rarely seems to be the case, unless a specific poison is identified. However, what I will always rule out is a “viral” or bacterial cause in any so-called disease process as the burden of proving that microbes can cause disease (or even exist in the case of “viruses”) has never been met. Not even once. Thus, whether this process is called allergies, colds, the flu, “Covid,” pneumonia, etc., they are nothing but different labels given to the same process. The severity of the symptoms depends upon the terrain of the individual at the time. For an excellent, and rather funny, explanation of this process, I recommend this 14-minute excerpt from Don Tolman as it is an entertaining watch.
https://www.bitchute.com/video/2BtC4GQ71duP/
I was recently challenged on Twitter by an individual on my view of the dis-ease process described above. This person, going by the handle Thisisnothappen, wanted me to defend terrain theory by explaining what the cause of the symptoms associated with the common cold is if not a “virus.” I had already seen various other commenters provide suitable explanations to him for the different factors that can bring about this detoxification process that is mistakenly labelled as different diseases based upon an imaginary cause. However, this person was not satisfied with any of the answers provided. He continually brushed off any explanation given unless he was supplied with every single factor that can bring about the set of symptoms referred to as the common cold.
Of course, the symptoms of the common cold are identical to the symptoms associated with allergies as noted by the various quotes above. Sometimes, it is claimed that fever and muscle/body aches are specific to colds and are not seen with allergies, as noted in the image below:
However, this is not the case as these same symptoms are seen in those suffering from allergies as well. For instance, fevers are seen in allergy cases, but they are blamed on the resulting sinus infection rather than any particular allergen:
“Allergies do not cause a fever, but they can trigger a sinus infection that can cause a fever..”
https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-allergies-cause-a-fever-5202119
As for muscle and body aches, this is also said to occur due to the inflammation caused by the reaction to the allergens:
“Seasonal allergies can lead to body aches and pain, in addition to more common symptoms like congestion, coughing, and watery eyes. This is primarily because allergic reactions can trigger inflammatory responses in the body. Repeatedly coughing and sneezing can lead to even more pain.”
https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-allergies-cause-body-aches-5199221
Thus, there are no specific symptoms that differentiate seasonal allergies and the common cold. We could even go further to see that the same symptoms associated with the flu, “Covid-19,” and pneumonia can occur in allergy cases, but for the purposes of this conversation, I wanted to keep the focus on the identical nature of colds and allergies. As there are no different symptoms, they are, for all intents and purposes, the same disease, even down to the rhinitis name.
There are already many potential causes for these symptoms such as pollen, dust, dander, mold, and other air pollutants and irritants that are admitted to be a factor in the expression of these symptoms of disease. No “virus” is necessary as an explanation. However, a different label is given along with the “viral” cause (the common cold) when the doctor decides that “it's just a virus and it will run its course.”
I attempted to explain to Thisisnothappen that there are already numerous admitted factors other than a “virus” that are associated with these identical symptoms of dis-ease. Unfortunately, I did so without much success. What ensued may be one of the most circular conversations I have engaged in with someone who may very well be the most intellectually dishonest person I have encountered in the Twitterverse so far. As this conversation took place over the span of a few weeks and multiple threads, I am highlighting the most important parts and providing limited commentary in order to shorten what is a rather long conversation. However, I feel that there are beneficial points made during this conversation and that this example can help others identify some disingenuous tricks employed by those who are attempting to dismiss our argument in the most deceitful of ways possible.
This encounter started due to a comment that I made to a user asking for the “viral” hypothesis along with evidence that it had been scientifically proven. This was the moment that Thisisnothappen decided to jump in to ask me what the terrain theory explanation for the cause of a common cold is. I explained that, according to terrain theory, there is no single causal factor.
This individual clarified that he was looking for ALL FACTORS that cause a cold according to terrain theory, to which I explained that this is an impossible question to answer as no one can know every single factor that can lead to disease. This is the first deceitful trick utilized by Thisisnothappen where an impossible question is posed, allowing him to stifle the conversation until his impossible question is answered to his satisfaction, which is never. He expressed that no one that he had interacted with had linked any factors associated as causes of the symptoms of a cold. Thus, I supplied him with a list of the allergens associated with hay fever, a.k.a. seasonal allergies, which present as the exact same symptoms of a common cold.
This conversation appeared to end until I made a comment in a different thread in support of something another user, going by PeaceLillie33, had stated to this individual. She had asked Thisisnothappen why it was so difficult for those supporting germ theory to understand that there are multiple factors that can lead to the expression of symptoms, and thus, not everyone will suffer from the same causes. I explained to her that these people are stuck in the mindset of a “single cause for a single disease” and that it is hard for them to look beyond this conceptual prison that they are trapped in.
After supplying a list of symptoms associated with the detoxification process, Thisisnothappen chimed in, wanting a list of factors causing a cold. I explained, once again, that there are many potential factors that can bring about the associated symptoms.
I linked back to my previous tweet showing the symptoms of hay fever, which are identical to the common cold, and the various factors associated as causes.
I explained that I was not suggesting a single cause for these symptoms. Allergens are just one of many possible factors that can lead to the expression of the symptoms associated with the common cold. As I had successfully answered his question by linking several alternative factors (pollen, dust, mold, dander, etc.) associated with these symptoms, I wanted his scientific evidence proving that a “virus” exists and can also bring about this process, as he was seemingly defending.
Thisisnothappen, of course, declined to comment and refused to acknowledge that hay fever and the common cold are the exact same symptoms of disease. Thus, he continued to deny that I had already provided factors outside of a “viral” cause that are associated with the body expressing itself in this manner.
After I explained that hay fever and the cold are nothing but separate names given to the same symptoms of disease, Thisisnothappen continued to insist that I had not answered his question. Oddly enough, he then claimed that he was not arguing against the associated causes of hay fever, but that he was disputing that people could have these symptoms in December, thus implying that the expression of these symptoms in the winter months was the key difference that separated the cold from seasonal allergies.
Thus, I presented information stating that hay fever symptoms do occur all year round, even in the winter months. His argument about a seasonal difference was therefore debunked.
While I thought i was being very clear that seasonal allergies and the common cold are different names for the same symptoms of dis-ease, he could not seem to grasp this concept.
Thisisnothappen then tried to reframe my argument and seemed to be intentionally misunderstanding what I was saying.
Thisisnothappen continued to try and single out pollen as the only factor that I was saying was the cause of all colds. This was obviously false based upon my previous comments. It was clear that he is unable to disassociate with his conditioned beliefs in a single cause for separate diseases. I once again had to clarify my stance.
He then proceeded to fall back on his “all factors” stipulation as an escape clause to avoid answering me, even though I had already explained that this was an impossibility as none of us, that I know of, are omniscient beings capable of such all-encompassing knowledge.
I pointed out that he did not ask me for “all factors” at any point, and he was ignoring that I had explained that doing so was an impossibility. Thisisnothappen was sticking to his escape clause in order to derail progressing the conversation so that he could avoid defending his position. He was trying very hard not to make a positive claim throughout this initial phase of our exchange. However, that would not last. 😉
The discussion became stuck in this circular argument over “all factors,” where he would not answer any questions I asked until he received all factors that can produce the symptoms of a cold.
He continued to not grasp that colds and allergies are nothing but labels given to the same symptoms of disease. There are many possible causes, however, there is zero scientific evidence supporting “viruses” as one of them. As this point was not sticking, I decided to highlight the similarities of the symptoms by asking him to explain any differences in order to see if it would sink in this way.
Thisisnothappen stopped responding in that thread at that point. When our conversation eventually picked back up in another thread, the accusations continued that I had not successfully answered his question. Thus, the conversation could not progress, and he would not explain if there were any differences between the symptoms associated with seasonal allergies and colds.
I clarified once again that allergies and colds are the same disease as they share the exact same symptoms. For some reason, after repeated attempts to get this message through, this time it finally dawned on Thisisnothappen what I had been saying to him all along. He then did what he had tried to avoid from the start and made a positive claim that allergies are caused by allergens while colds are not. Thus, he was stating that the CAUSE was the difference between the identical symptoms.
Thisisnothappen stopped responding. As he made a positive claim that colds have a different cause from seasonal allergies, I decided to press him to clarify his positive claim. When he finally answered, he attempted to fall back on his excuse that I had not answered him, and that this meant that he did not have to clarify what he meant until I did. It is a very cowardly tactic.
I repeatedly tried to get Thisisnothappen to answer as to what the difference was between the symptoms called seasonal allergies and those called the cold. I pointed out that he had made the claim that colds are not caused by dust, pollen, and allergens. As he was making this positive claim, it was his duty to explain what the different cause is according to him. However, he knew that, by saying it was a “viral” cause, he would have to defend this with scientific evidence. Making a positive claim was something he was desperately trying to avoid.
As can be seen, he also tried to use the effects of antihistamines for allergies as evidence to a separate cause. This issue would be addressed later. However, in his next comment, Thisisnothappen officially lost the argument once he definitively clarified that the difference between colds and allergies was the cause. Not the symptoms. It was the CAUSE that defined them. Thus, he agreed that the symptoms were the same, confirming that they are the same disease.
He then fell back on his excuse that he would only answer me as to what he claimed the cause of a cold is once I answered him, even though I had answered his questions repeatedly.
Thisisnothappen again fell silent until we picked up the conversation in a different thread at a later date. I continued to press him on what the different cause was between the identical symptoms of seasonal allergies and colds.
Thisisnothappen went silent yet again. I was getting the feeling that he was hoping that this conversation would disappear. However, due to his bad faith responses and continued display of intellectual dishonesty throughout our exchange, I was not willing to let him off the hook.
Thisisnothappen went silent on two separate threads. So I decided to poke at him to see if I could get a response. When he returned, he was now asking for scientific papers stating that the symptoms of seasonal allergies and the common cold are the same. It is clear that he does not understand what scientific evidence is. Science deals with determining cause-and-effect. Pointing out the fact that the symptoms between allergies and colds are identical is an observation. There is no scientific experiment taking place in order to determine this fact. Plus, he had already agreed that they are the same symptoms, and thus, the same disease.
As he was unable to drop the allergen/cold labels when discussing the identical symptoms associated with both, Thisisnothappen attempted to once again use the effects of antihistamines as proof of a separate cause necessitating the different labels. In his view, antihistamines only work for allergens and do not work when these same symptoms are called the common cold.
He couldn't have been more wrong.
However, instead of owning up to his mistake, Thisisnothappen decided to resort to logically fallacious reasoning in order to get himself out of the mess he had made. According to his latest trick, as the source I shared (uspharmacist.com) claimed that the cold is caused by a “virus,” this meant that I accepted the “viral” cause as my own. Apparently, I must accept everything my source states in order to present information from it. This logically fallacious trick was the only way that he would allow me to say that antihistamines are used to treat symptoms of the cold.
This is a version of the “All or Nothing” and “False Dilemma” fallacy. He was trying to claim that, in order for the information shared from a source to be trusted, one must accept all information from that source. Either it is all accepted, or none of it is.
However, in his haste to make such an illogical and disingenuous counterargument, Thisisnothappen accepted the “viral” cause claimed by my source as his own once he highlighted it and stated that he was happy to go with the “virus” as the cause. It was now his responsibility to prove with the necessary scientific evidence.
After sharing another source, this time Healthline, stating that antihistamines are used to treat the common cold, Thisisnothappen searched the site to find where it discussed “viruses.” Thus, according to him, the whole site must not mention a “viral” cause in order for me to be able to highlight a fact from an article that antihistamines are used to treat the symptoms of a cold.
I attempted to explain that any source discussing a cold will automatically claim a “viral” cause, thus making it impossible to present information from any site showing that antihistamines are used for the symptoms when labelled as a cold. He will automatically claim it is untrue unless I accept the “viral” cause. If I, myself, made the claim that antihistamines are used to treat cold symptoms or if I shared quotes from doctors I know who do not subscribe to germ theory, he would not accept this as valid evidence as we are not seen as an acceptable “authority.” Thus, he was creating a scenario where he could easily escape. Fortunately, I was backed up by PeaceLillie33 in showing Thisisnothappen his logically fallacious ways.
As the word “virus” was a big sticking point, I decided to find a source stating that antihistamines are used to treat colds where the word “virus” did not appear in any shape or form. Surely, this would now be acceptable as there was no information on a “viral” cause that he could attempt to chain me to.
https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/teach-me/cold-medicines
Predictably, Thisisnothappen did not accept my source. Even though he could not find the word “virus” in connection with the common cold anywhere within the article, he decided that, as it recommended a flu shot at the end, this meant that my source was somehow claiming a “viral” cause for the common cold.
He then attempted to state that the person quoted in the article came to her conclusions via a germ theory lens, and thus, she accepted a “viral” cause for the common cold symptoms. This, again, somehow meant that I, too, accept germ theory. See what I meant when I said this may just be one of the most disingenuous and intellectually dishonest people on Twitter?
Appearing to understand that he was caught stating something wrong, Thisisnothappen then proceeded to present information from a different source of his own stating that second generation antihistamines do not work for cold symptoms.
By using this tactic, Thisisnothappen was agreeing that first generation antihistamines work for the cold symptoms, as stated in my first source, and he was now arguing newer antihistamines are not effective. No source was provided for his information.
Fortunately, I was easily able to find it. Thisisnothappen referred to a source using a 2003 Cochrane review to claim that there is no evidence that second generation antihistamines work for common colds. However, the Cochrane review linked from his source claimed that “viruses” cause the common cold. Thus, by his own rules, he was now accepting that “viruses” are the separate cause of these symptoms and it was now his burden to prove this with the necessary scientific evidence.
Thisisnothappen knew that he was caught by his own rules. He attempted to fall back to his antihistamine argument, which I had already proven him wrong about. He also tried to say that I had not fulfilled my burden with my claim that allergies and colds are identical symptoms, and thus, they are the same disease. However, he agreed with me when he claimed that the only difference between the names was the cause. Thus, he had no argument left.
He eventually attempted to claim that I was not understanding his argument about the flu shot somehow equaling a “viral” cause for the common cold. Perhaps this was because it made no sense?
Thisisnothappen did not realize that he proved my claim that allergies and colds are the same disease when he admitted that the only difference was the assumed cause associated with the different labels. As he had claimed that the cause was the difference, and eventually accepted the “virus” as this separate cause, it was his burden to prove that the common cold “viruses” exist and that they cause the same symptoms of disease via the scientific method. This is a burden he failed to fulfill as he desperately tried to stay away from chaining himself to defending his beliefs.
Unfortunately for him, Thisisnothappen had made many positive claims throughout our encounter, something he was frantically trying to avoid doing. If his belief is that “viruses” exist and causes a separate disease called the common cold, why was he so afraid of making this claim out in the open? Why did Thisisnothappen do everything possible not to defend his position with the necessary scientific evidence supporting his beliefs? Why was he attempting to shift the burden of proof for his beliefs away from himself? It is because Thisisnothappen knows what they all do. The scientific evidence proving the existence of pathogenic “viruses” does not exist. They lose any argument that asks for them to defend their beliefs with scientific evidence. Thus, they will dance around with evasive tactics, resorting to logically fallacious reasoning and intellectually dishonest arguments in order to avoid the fact that they have nothing but pseudoscience on their side.
Richard Cox, of the amazing Deep State Consciousness podcast, wrote an excellent essay arguing that the actions of state’s around the world during the "Covid pandemic" were counterproductive, costing many lives while not saving any. Please check it out!
https://www.deepstateconsciousness.com/writing
has been on the “Covid” case and documenting this “pandemic” since day 1. He is wrapping things up with his latest. supplied more enlightening Freedom of Information requests detailing the lack of experimental controls. looked at the pseudoscientific creation of the “human metapneuomovirus.”took a closer look at the late Dr. Rashid Buttar. has two offerings this week with a fascinating look at meningitis as well as a Q & A with Dr. Mark Bailey covering many interesting topics.
I'll offer two observations.
1. Whenever I sweep my dusty highway-facing 18th floor balcony, within an hour I have the symptoms of an 'allergy': red, runny nose, sniffles, sneezing, sometimes progressing to a sore throat. Usual resolution in 24-48 hours (1-2 days).
2. Whenever I expose my skin to the sun and get sunburn, within a day I have symptoms of a 'cold': red, runny nose, sniffles, sore throat, fatigue, voice change due to stuffiness. Usual resolution in 48-96 hours (2-4 days).
No virus required in either case. The first was dust expulsion from my mucous membranes, the second was, I suspect, an overabundance of Vit. D suddenly becoming available and my body immediately using it to do some automated detox.
Thanks, Mike. Reading back in my journal entries, i'm amazed how many times in the past, especially this time of year, i "got sick" and stayed sick for weeks at a time, in spite of all the pharmaceuticals i was taking. Since i've stopped reacting to every sign of allergy as if i had caught a "bad virus," i've been very healthy, episodes confined to a part of a day.