Allergy symptoms and COVID symptoms are likely to be the same as one another but the severity of symptoms are far different. Especially in the spring when pollen triggers reactions from allergic people, it is highly recommended that you know how to identify allergy triggers, likely contact with triggers, as well as COVID-19 risk factors to help decide self-diagnosis.
Allergies and the symptoms
Allergies are the physical repercussions that occur when the body is going through a pathological and exaggerated immunological reaction. In simpler terms, they are symptoms that are generated as a result of the body’s reaction to changes in the immune system (usual exposure to antigens). Though it is not at all comfortable and can be intensely disturbing, it is not contagious and can be treated at home, with over-the-counter medications, or immunotherapy. The following are symptoms (which could be mild or severe) that follow allergies;
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Sneezing
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Postnasal drainage
- Ear congestion
- Itchy ear canals
- Itchy throat, eyes, and sinuses
- Watery eyes
- Stuffy or running nose
COVID-19 and the symptoms
The coronavirus, though could be mistaken for seasonal allergies (especially at the early stage), has some slight differences that can help you tell the two apart. This is especially important because COVID-19 can be deadly and worst of all – contagious. It spreads from person to person through close contact and also through air. When a person with COVID-19 coughs or sneezes, the virus can be spread to the people around. According to the CDC and other certified statistics, the death toll of the virus has risen above the charts in several countries of the world, and hence, it is highly risky to mistake the symptoms of COVID-19 for mere seasonal allergies. The following are the symptoms of coronavirus which appears 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus;
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting or Nausea
- Running nose or nasal congestion
- Sore throat
- Loss of smell or taste
- Headache
- Body and Joint aches
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Cough, and most common of all,
- Fever
The difference between the two
For some, the difference between the two is already clear, however, there is more to the two conditions than the symptoms. Where allergies can simply be prevented by controlling the environment around them, coronavirus is more technical. One must keep a certain distance from other people, wear face masks, wash the hands 3-5 times during the day, and so on.
The vaccine has to be injected into the bloodstream or absorbed through oral ingestion. Also, despite the many complications of untreated allergies, it is rarely life-threatening. However, the same cannot be said for coronavirus.
But though self-diagnosis can seem straightforward with the listed symptoms of both illnesses, we always recommend that people report all cases of related illness just to be sure. Also, if you need a second opinion for diagnosis, then visit a nearby urgent care center for COVID-19 testing and allergy assessment!
