Spring is upon us, the season to be jolly were it not for the Covid-19 epidemic. Today we spare a thought for hay fever sufferers for whom this was a bad time of the year already. The boundary lines between the two conditions are blurred and could cause them concerns. We decided to contrast seasonal allergy symptoms versus Covid-19 signs.
Main Covid-19 Signs Compared to Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
The initial symptoms of the new strain of coronavirus are fever, fatigue, and a dry cough. However, the disease can also display as a runny nose. This makes it difficult to draw a clear line between it and seasonal allergy symptoms.
Allergy symptoms, on the other hand are the result of inflammations caused by reactions to pollen or mold. These often include runny nose, dry tickly cough, itchy or watery eyes, and congestion meaning our nasal passages are blocked. The distinction becomes clearer as Covid-19 grows more severe.
The Main Differences as the Covid-19 Illness Sets In
Hay fever symptoms generally don’t advance beyond the state we described above. However, Covid-19 may worsen if we are in one of the vulnerable risk categories including old age and chronic disease. In that latter case, the symptoms may expand to include breathing difficulty, body aches, extremely sore throat, and rapid fatiguing.
We may also feel nauseous, have a loose tummy, or be running a high temperature. If that’s the case we should obtain urgent medical advice. However, if we check out negative for Covid-19 but the hay fever symptoms persist, we should continue with our regular countermeasures.
This means staying away from the things that trigger our seasonal allergy symptoms, and taking over-the-counter allergy medication as usual. It’s also a good idea to wear a face mask in public. We don’t want a sudden sneeze to create the wrong impression, and leave us literally ‘out in the cold’.
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Preview Image: Coronavirus v Cold v Flu v Allergies
