I have a mild cough and I can feel some chest congestion, and last night I started to have hives on my joints (elbows, knees, ankles and hips).  I believe I also had a fever yesterday.  Oddly, I had this same affliction this time last year almost to the day (per my benadryl Rx bottle).  I went to MDs last year and was met with puzzled expressions and Rxs for benadryl and prednisone.  The hives lasted for almost 2 mos.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. In my opinion, you should investigate thoroughly for allergic bronchitis. You might be allergic to something which is present in the environment. Points in favor of this are annual occurrence during the same period, skin lesions (rashes add hives), chest congestion, cough etc. So get done detailed allergy testing. Best treatment for allergic disease is identification of causative allergen and if possible complete avoidance of it. You should also take combination of antihistamine (levocetrizine or fexofenadine) and anti-allergic (montelukast). Don't take prednisone as it is oral steroid and can harm you. So consult allergist and discuss all these. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.