05/21/2020
Allergy Symptoms Or Coronavirus: Know The Difference
This year has witnessed a pandemic that has rapidly spread across the world. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease is mainly a respiratory disease that has quickly become a very serious global dangerous pandemic.
What makes coronavirus so elusive is that its symptoms can be similar to the common cold, the flu or allergies.
Sign and symptoms of COVID – 19 can appear the day after exposure and can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath and or difficulty breathing. Then symptoms could include aches, tiredness, runny nose, sore throat, headaches diarrhea, vomiting , loss of taste or smell or both.
For the 50 million Americans living with allergies, this chronic illness causes a range of debilitating symptoms. It’s important to remember that seasonal allergies—most often triggered by pollen and dust—can affect the respiratory system much like a mild case of COVID-19, or the early stages of a more severe COVID 19 infection.
As we head into spring, the incidence of sinus and lung allergy symptoms increases. Figuring out what is causing your symptoms can be somewhat confusing.
Body aches
Repeated sneezing and coughing due to your allergies can cause some sore muscles to a mild degree. However, bad body aches are not associated with allergies, but is a common symptom of coronavirus.
The COVID - 19 virus except in mild cases cause prominent headaches and consistent body aches and muscle pain. The aches are usually associated with the onset of fever.
Fever
For anyone who’s experienced allergies, there are myriad of symptoms that usually point to the start of allergy season. However, high fever is NOT a symptom of an allergy.
Health professionals have constantly urged people to keep track of their temperature fluctuations after the recent outbreak of coronavirus because it’s a very common symptom of COVID 19. Unlike allergies, coronavirus -19 many times causes high temperatures (102-104) over a period of time. This is a sign that your symptoms don’t just point to an allergy flare-up, something more is going on.
The production of mucus
The major differentiating factor between other common respiratory infections such as a cold, flu—or allergies, is the lack of much mucous production with COVID 19. Excess mucus and phlegm can be caused by allergies, often resulting in a runny nose and postnasal drip. Asthma can cause increase mucous production from the lung. In the case of COVID-19, the production of mucus is not a common symptom. The condition is usually associated with a dry cough where little or no phlegm is or mucus is involved.
Itchiness
Itchy skin is a common reaction when allergies are triggered. This is often accompanied by redness, watery eyes, small bumps, and other signs of discomfort. If you’re experiencing itchiness or skin irritation, it can be a symptom of an allergy.
Coronavirus, however, doesn’t cause itchiness. The condition mostly affects your respiratory and immune systems without any significant itchiness.
As this global health crisis continues to surge, it’s important to get medical help when you need it. Some allergy symptoms overlap with coronavirus symptom—such as shortness of breath, fatigue and cough. However, muscle aches, and high fever, are not typical of allergies. People with significant cases of COVID 19, feel bad, like a bad case of the flu. That’s a different feeling from an allergy flare up.
If you are really worried but feel okay, call your doctor or healthcare provide to discuss your fears. If you have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID – 19, call your doctor , county healthcare department, or the help line at your local hospital. If you are having significant symptoms, and they feel different from your normal allergy symptoms, call your physicians or healthcare provider to discuss your health status. If you have a fever , chest pain or pressure, significant S.O.B, confusion or blue call 911 or have someone take you to the ER pronto. Call ahead if you can. Tell them your symptoms, if you know you have COVID – 19, warn them. WISHING THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY STAY WELL. Follow the latest CDC recommendations carefully at CDC.gov COVID -19. For more information about asthma, sinus allergies, food allergies, or allergic skin disorders visit my website, Johndbraymd.com or give us a call at 432-561-8183. STAY SAFE.
