Allergy symptoms can hit us hard, especially this year, as the allergy season is believed to be stronger and longer this year. For many, their allergies have seemed worse this spring. While the typical allergy symptoms are well-known to sufferers, with COVID-19, the signs of the coronavirus can look similar to allergy symptoms which can cause concern for many people. Thankfully, being able to spot the differences can help you determine if it’s allergies or COVID-19.
To help put your mind at ease, learn more about the differences so you can help determine if your symptoms stem from allergies or COVID-19.
Allergies or COVID: What are the Symptoms?
COVID-19: Sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste, loss of smell, body aches, chills, and fever.
Allergies: Rashes, runny nose, congestions, coughing, post-nasal drip, facial pressure, sneezing, headaches, wheezing, mild fatigue, itchy eyes, and hives.
If you are experiencing sneezing, along with a sore throat, fever, chills, and body aches, there’s a low chance that it’s from allergies. Experiencing chills and fever typically are only experienced when a person has the flu or COVID, so if you are experiencing these symptoms, go get a COVID test.
If you happen to be experiencing an overlap of symptoms between the two and are not experiencing a loss of taste, taking a trial of allergy medication is recommended. This will allow you to see if you experience an improvement in your symptoms. If you do experience an improvement, chances are its allergies. However, if you don’t experience any relief or improvement in your symptoms after taking allergy medication, go get tested for COVID-19.
While in some cases, knowing the difference can be clear-cut, but everybody can be affected differently. So at the end of the day, if you are still unsure of your symptoms, then you should err on the side of caution and go get tested for coronavirus.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 typically includes symptoms such as sore throat, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, body aches, chills, and fever. Allergies often involve symptoms like rashes, runny nose, congestion, coughing, post-nasal drip, facial pressure, sneezing, headaches, wheezing, mild fatigue, itchy eyes, and hives. Chills and fever are uncommon in allergies but common in COVID-19, helping to differentiate the two.
No, allergies generally do not cause loss of taste or smell, whereas these symptoms are common indicators of COVID-19. Loss of taste or smell is a distinguishing symptom and should prompt COVID-19 testing if experienced.
If you experience overlapping symptoms, it's recommended to try an allergy medication trial to see if your symptoms improve. Improvement suggests allergies are the cause. If symptoms persist or worsen, especially without relief from allergy treatment, you should get tested for COVID-19 to rule out infection.
No, chills and fever are usually not associated with allergies but are common symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu. If you experience chills and fever, it is important to seek COVID-19 testing promptly.
Sneezing is more commonly linked to allergies and is less frequent in COVID-19. However, if sneezing occurs with fever, chills, or body aches, it is less likely to be allergies and more likely to require COVID-19 testing.
Mild fatigue can be a symptom of allergies but is generally less severe than the fatigue caused by COVID-19. Fatigue associated with COVID-19 often comes with other systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches.
If you are unsure whether your symptoms are caused by allergies or COVID-19, the safest approach is to get tested for COVID-19. This ensures you can take appropriate measures to protect your health and those around you.