How to tell the difference between COVID-19 and seasonal allergies

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If you’ve woken up recently with a tickle in your throat or a feeling of congestion, there’s a chance you’ve been wondering, “wait, is this allergies or COVID-19?” Of course, this isn’t necessarily the stereotypical allergy season (read: spring). But, with the increase in coronavirus cases nationwide in large part due to the highly transmissible Delta variant, symptoms that you might not have thought of before could now be of concern.

But before you sound the alarm, know that while some symptoms of COVID-19 and allergies overlap, it are some key differences that can help you determine potential next steps.

COVID-19 for allergy symptoms

You know what they say: knowledge is power. And this is true if you are trying to determine if what you once thought of as ordinary allergy symptoms are in fact signs of COVID-19. So, first of all, it’s important to understand the basic differences between allergies and COVID-19.

Seasonal allergies are the peak of symptoms caused by an inflammatory immune response. This happens when your body overreacts to environmental substances such as pollen or mold, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. They usually occur when plants pollinate, that is, in the spring, summer and fall in the United States. (Read more: The most common allergy symptoms to watch out for, broken down by season)

COVID-19, as you probably know by now, is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a virus that can cause breathing difficulties or shortness of breath in those infected, among other symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Add to the mix that the symptoms of the now dominant Delta variant are slightly different from those of previous COVID-19 strains, it’s understandable that alarm bells start ringing in your head at the first sign of feeling bad weather, says Kathleen. Dass, MD, an immunologist at Michigan Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Center.

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So what are the symptoms of seasonal allergies and COVID-19? “The Delta variant is different from the previous strains in that the symptoms are mainly sore throat, rhinorrhea (runny nose), fevers and headaches,” says Dr. Dass. “With previous strains of COVID-19, you may have these symptoms, but people might also have predominant nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of smell (anosmia), and cough. These symptoms may still be predominant. occur with the Delta variant, but they ‘are less common. ” (Read more: The most common coronavirus symptoms to watch out for, according to experts)

“Common symptoms of seasonal allergies, including allergies in the fall, are unfortunately similar to [those caused by] the Delta variant, ”she says. “They can include a sore throat, nasal congestion (stuffy nose), rhinorrhea (runny nose), sneezing, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and postnasal discharge in the back of the throat). If you develop a sinus infection, you may have an associated fever, headache, and loss of smell. “

Seasonal allergies and COVID-19 are both on the rise

More bad news: There’s a good chance people with allergies will experience (or already experience) worse symptoms than in previous years due to record pollen levels across the country, notes Dr Dass. The extra time spent at home sprucing up your space or spending time with your pandemic pets might not help matters either, she adds. “People have had increased exposure to indoor allergens by adopting pets they may be allergic to or by increasing cleaning resulting in subsequent exposure to dust mites,” says Dr. Dass. Eek.

There is also a good chance that this cold and flu season will be particularly difficult, as more people return to in-person activities, such as school, work and travel. “We have had an increase in the number of respiratory syncytial virus or RSV cases [a common respiratory virus that typically causes cold-like symptoms and can be serious for infants and older adults] in the Midwest and Southern States, ”says Dr. Dass. “Although we had a record-breaking flu season in 2020 due to social distancing, stay-at-home orders and masks, it can increase dramatically with less masking, returning to work, returning to school and an increase travel. (Related: Is It A Cold Or Allergies?)

TL; DR – Protect yourself against all diseases is especially important, which means getting both a COVID-19 booster when you’re eligible (about eight months after receiving your second dose of an mRNA vaccine) and a flu shot soon. “Because the flu may peak earlier this year, the CDC recommends that anyone 6 months and older get a flu shot by the end of October,” said Dr. Dass. (Related: Can The Flu Vaccine Protect You From Coronavirus?)

How allergies and COVID-19 differ

Fortunately, some important differentiators to do exist that can help you determine what to work with, as well as your treatment options. “One sign that your symptoms are secondary to COVID-19 and not allergies is fever,” says Dr. Dass. “The fever may be associated with a sinus infection, but won’t be present with allergies. If you’ve had allergies before, it may be easier to tell apart, especially if your seasonal allergies coincide with a particular season.” Eye symptoms (think: watery, itchy eyes) are also more common with allergies than COVID-19, she adds.

Additionally, “allergies do not cause lymph node swelling or severe respiratory distress like COVID does,” shares Tania Elliott, MD, internal medicine physician and certified immunologist. Lymph nodes can swell as a result of a bacterial or viral infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. And remember lymph nodes are located all over your body, but you can usually feel them – especially when swollen – in your neck or under your arms.

Treatment options

First of all, both experts recommend calling your doctor if you have any concerns. Dr Elliott advises a telehealth visit if you think or fear you have potentially been exposed to COVID-19. “I would recommend getting tested for COVID-19 to definitively establish the diagnosis,” adds Dr. Dass. “If you are concerned about your allergy symptoms getting worse, I would strongly recommend an evaluation with an allergist to help control your symptoms.” (Here’s your foolproof guide to thwarting fall allergy symptoms.)

Fortunately, the same preventative measure that’s been proven to help lower your risk of contracting COVID-19 – wearing a mask – can also help reduce the severity of allergy symptoms. “Research has shown that masks help relieve allergy symptoms by filtering out allergenic particles, which are larger than COVID-19,” says Dr. Dass.

“If you test positive for COVID-19 and also suffer from allergy symptoms, we don’t necessarily know you are at increased risk for serious illness,” notes Dr. Dass. “However, patients with more poorly controlled asthma are more likely to have a more severe course of COVID.” (FYI, allergies and asthma can occur together, and asthma can also be triggered by some of the same substances such as pollen, dust mites and dander, according to the Mayo Clinic.)

If you’re struggling with a double whammy, “you don’t need to change your treatment options,” says Dr. Dass. “If you have asthma, be sure to talk to the doctor who manages your asthma about optimizing treatment. Interestingly, antihistamines (such as Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec, Xyzal) are treatment options. common for allergy symptoms and have been shown to possibly reduce the intensity of COVID-19 in some studies. ”(And if you do contract COVID-19, be sure to read What To Do to ensure your safety and that of your loved ones.)

If you contract COVID-19 (whether or not you have allergies) it is of the utmost importance to stay in contact with your doctor to make sure your symptoms do not get worse. It’s understandable that you’re on high alert this year, but your doctor can help get you comfortable and on your way to feeling better in no time.

The information in this story is accurate at the time of posting. As updates on the COVID-19 coronavirus continue to evolve, it is possible that some information and recommendations in this story have changed since the initial publication. We encourage you to regularly check resources such as the CDC, WHO, and your local public health department for the most recent data and recommendations.