The Difference In Symptoms Between Allergies and Coronavirus

2020 hasn’t been good so far and the Covid-19 pandemic is undoubtedly the foremost reason for it. For people who suffer from allergies, it can be more stressful for many reasons. The symptoms of allergies and coronavirus may seem similar while people with allergies have higher risk for contracting respiratory illnesses because of their compromised health.

But there’s little reason to worry because the symptoms of allergies and coronavirus are different! Of course, it’s vital to protect yourself and your family and friends against contracting the coronavirus.  These protection measures include frequent hand washing, using a face mask in public, and covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.

Common Symptoms of Allergies

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, allergies usually occur when a susceptible person’s immune system overreacts to things that are harmless for others. These things, known as allergens, include ragweed, pollen and grass, thus, the increase in allergy attacks.

The immune system’s overreaction results in the following symptoms of allergy:

• Stuffy nose, runny nose and/or sneezing
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Fatigue
• Rashes
• Headache
• Puffy, watery and/or itchy eyes
• Itchy throat, nose and ears

Many people with allergies will understandably be worried since many of these symptoms have also been identified as coronavirus symptoms.

Common Symptoms of the Coronavirus

Take note that scientists are still finding out new information about the coronavirus and Covid-19. But they know that these are the three main symptoms of Covid-19. (The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also pointed out these symptoms)

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are also less common coronavirus symptoms that doctors and individuals should be aware of. These include nasal congestion, body aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhea and/or runny nose.

And this is where the anxiety starts for many allergy sufferers. There are more than a few symptoms shared by allergies and coronavirus infection – dry cough, shortness of breath, and runny nose, for example.

But there’s also something that differentiates seasonal allergies from coronavirus: Fever. Even the worst allergy attack will not bring on the body’s fever reaction but most Covid-19 patients exhibit fever as among their first symptoms.

There are also other major distinctions between the two conditions. First, coronavirus doesn’t bring on itchiness while allergies certainly will cause it. Second, people with allergies are more likely to experience worse nasal issues than people with the coronavirus, although both can experience sneezing.

There’s also the more serious matter of allergies being non-contagious and the coronavirus being extremely contagious. People with allergies can go about their business in public without fear of infecting others but this isn’t the same for Covid-19 patients.

If you would like to learn more of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT specialist.

Source:

HK ENT Specialist Ltd.

Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre

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