Right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, allergy season has begun in many localities. Since both seasonal allergies and COVID-19 can cause respiratory symptoms , we sought advice from pharmacist Ramzi Yacoub 1 about how you can tell the difference between seasonal allergies and the onset of COVID-19. Here are two things to ask yourself:
Do you have a fever?
Allergies should not produce a fever. COVID-19 almost always presents with a fever. Other symptoms of COVID-19 include coughing and shortness of breath. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.2
Does your allergy medication help to alleviate symptoms?
If your allergy symptoms respond to allergy medication, then it’s a good sign that you aren’t suffering from COVID-19. If your allergies are not responding to medication, that doesn’t mean you have COVID-19. Rather, it may be that you need a different or stronger therapy. In any event, in the case of unresolved symptoms, it’s best to check with your physician.
Yacoub also offers the following advice on how to alleviate allergy symptoms without medication.
- Avoid being outdoors on windy days. If you must be outdoors on windy days, wear a mask (or scarf) and glasses, to keep allergans at bay.
- If you’ve been outdoors, take off your shoes, shower, wash your hair, and change your clothes when you arrive home. Doing so will help prevent pollen and other allergens from spreading inside your home.
- If possible, keep doors and windows closed and use an air conditioner with HEPA filtration. These filters trap allergens before they can irritate you.
- Avoid smoking, as smoking exacerbates allergy symptoms.
We know that everyone is preoccupied with this pandemic. For reference, here is our handy glossary of COVID-19-related terms. Here are three COVID-19-related scams you should stay away from.
- Ramzi Yacoub, PharmD, Chief Pharmacy Officer for SingleCare.
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
