Fall Allergy Symptoms: Is Ragweed Making You Sick?
Medically reviewed by Keith Seibert, MD | Last Reviewed: August 2026
| QUICK ANSWER
Ragweed season runs roughly from August through late October across Alabama and Georgia, peaking in September. The biggest tell that it’s allergies and not a cold is itchy eyes, nose, and throat — colds and flu rarely cause itching. See a doctor if symptoms last more than two weeks, over-the-counter medication isn’t helping, or you develop facial pain, thick discolored discharge, or worsening asthma, which can signal a sinus infection rather than plain allergies. |
If your nose has started running the moment the kids went back to school, it’s probably not a coincidence, and it’s probably not a cold. Late summer into fall is ragweed season across the Southeast, and a single ragweed plant can release a billion grains of pollen over its season — light enough to travel for miles on the wind. Add in mold spores from decaying leaves as autumn sets in, and it’s easy to see why so many people spend September and October convinced they’ve caught something, when what they’ve actually caught is allergy season.
Why Fall Allergies Hit the South So Hard
Alabama and Georgia’s long, warm growing season means ragweed has plenty of time to establish before it starts releasing pollen in late summer. Ragweed pollen counts tend to be highest in the morning hours and on dry, breezy days, which is also when a lot of families are heading out the door for school and work. As leaves start falling later in the season, decaying leaf litter adds mold spores to the mix, which can extend allergy-like symptoms even after ragweed itself tapers off.
When Does Ragweed Season Start in Alabama & Georgia?
Ragweed season typically runs from August through late October across Alabama and Georgia, with pollen counts peaking in September. Symptoms can start earlier in a warm year and linger into November if fall weather stays mild. Because the season overlaps almost exactly with the first two months of school, it’s easy to mistake early ragweed allergies for one of the colds that also tend to circulate once classes start — which is where the symptom differences below come in handy.
Fall Allergies vs. Cold vs. Flu vs. COVID: How to Tell the Difference
| Symptom | Fall Allergies | Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 |
| Itchy eyes, nose, or throat | Very common | Rare | Rare | Rare |
| Fever | Never | Rare, usually low-grade | Common, often high | Common |
| Onset | Gradual, tied to pollen exposure | Gradual, over a few days | Sudden | Variable, 2–14 days after exposure |
| Duration | Weeks to months, as long as pollen is present | 7–10 days | A few days to two weeks | Highly variable |
| Body aches | Rare | Mild, if any | Common, often severe | Common |
| Sore throat | Sometimes, from postnasal drip | Common | Common | Common |
| Contagious | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recurs seasonally | Yes, same time every year | No | No | No |
How Can You Relieve Fall Allergy Symptoms at Home?
For most people, over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, and saline rinses control fall allergy symptoms well. A few habits make a real difference too: checking daily pollen counts and limiting outdoor time when they’re highest (usually morning), keeping windows closed and running the air conditioner rather than airing out the house, showering and changing clothes after spending time outside, and washing bedding regularly during peak season to cut down on pollen that’s made its way indoors.
| ALLERGIES NOT RESPONDING TO OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION?
ExperCARE offers walk-in visits with no appointment needed. Our providers can evaluate whether it’s allergies, a sinus infection, or something else, and get you started on the right treatment the same day. |
When Should You See a Doctor for Fall Allergies?
Allergies themselves aren’t dangerous, but they can set the stage for complications, especially in kids and anyone with asthma. It’s worth being seen if symptoms last more than two weeks without improvement, over-the-counter medication isn’t providing relief, you develop facial pain or pressure with thick yellow or green nasal discharge (a possible sign of sinus infection), your asthma is flaring more than usual, or a child develops ear pain, since fall allergies can contribute to middle ear congestion and infection. A same-day visit can sort out whether you’re dealing with allergies alone or something that needs additional treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does ragweed season start in Alabama and Georgia?
Ragweed season typically runs from August through late October, with pollen counts peaking in September. It can start earlier or run longer depending on that year’s weather.
How do I know if it’s fall allergies or a cold?
Itchy eyes, nose, or throat is the biggest tell for allergies — colds and flu rarely cause itching. Allergies also don’t cause fever and tend to last for weeks rather than resolving in 7 to 10 days like a typical cold.
Can fall allergies cause a fever?
No. Allergies don’t cause fever. A fever points toward a cold, flu, COVID-19, or a secondary infection like sinusitis, not a pollen allergy.
Why do my allergies feel worse than usual this year?
Pollen counts vary year to year based on rainfall and temperature. A warm, wet spring followed by a dry, breezy fall tends to produce heavier ragweed pollen loads and more intense symptoms.
Can kids get fall allergies too?
Yes. Fall allergies are common in children and can look like a persistent cold that doesn’t fully clear — itchy eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing that lasts for weeks are the main clues.
Do I need allergy testing to know if it’s ragweed?
Not necessarily. Many people can manage seasonal fall allergies with over-the-counter treatment based on symptoms and timing alone. Allergy testing is more useful if symptoms are severe, year-round, or not responding to standard treatment.
How long does ragweed season last?
Ragweed season generally lasts from August through late October in Alabama and Georgia, tapering off with the first hard frost of the year.
What’s the difference between a sinus infection and allergies?
Allergies typically cause clear, watery discharge and itching, while a sinus infection often brings thick yellow or green discharge, facial pain or pressure, and sometimes fever. Symptoms lasting more than 10 days or worsening after initially improving both point toward a sinus infection.
When should I see a doctor for fall allergies instead of treating it myself?
See a provider if symptoms last more than two weeks despite over-the-counter treatment, you develop facial pain or thick discolored discharge, your asthma is flaring, or a child develops ear pain alongside allergy symptoms.
| THE BOTTOM LINE
Ragweed season runs from roughly August through late October across Alabama and Georgia, peaking in September — right as it overlaps with back-to-school colds, which makes the two easy to confuse. Itching, and the absence of fever, is the clearest sign it’s allergies rather than an illness. Most cases respond well to over-the-counter treatment and a few habit changes, but symptoms that drag on past two weeks or come with facial pain or fever are worth a same-day visit to rule out a sinus infection. |
