As the world prepares to face a new wave of Covid-19, one very common thing is on people’s minds. In other words, how to tell the difference between a Covid-19 infection and a seasonal allergy? In recent weeks, cases of coronavirus infection have skyrocketed in countries like the United States, Brazil, France, Germany and China. India, too, recorded 140 new cases on Friday. While common symptoms of Covid-19 infection are: sneezing, sore throat, dry cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, fever and loss of taste and smell, some of these symptoms are also identified when a person is diagnosed as allergic.
The question therefore arises as to how to tell the difference between a coronavirus infection and an allergy. To do this, you must first know the symptoms of COVID-19 and how it spreads:
COVID-19
The coronavirus is a contagious disease that mainly affects the respiratory organs of the body, then the stomach and the brain. It is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The coronavirus spreads when two people, one of whom is infected, are in close contact, such as 2 meters or less. The virus is spread by tiny respiratory droplets that are released into the air when a person breathes, coughs, sneezes or even speaks.
Although multiple variants of Covid-19 have been identified so far, some of the main symptoms seen in infected patients include:
- Fever or chills
- Loss of taste or smell
- Dry cough
- Body or muscle pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Congestion or runny nose
- Gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Seasonal allergy
With the arrival of spring and the change of seasons, many people suffer from cold and fever. It becomes difficult to check whether you are simply suffering from a seasonal allergy or a Covid-19 infection. A seasonal allergy is an immune system response to allergens, often pollen. After inhaling these pollens, the immune system triggers a reaction and the disorders we suffer from are colds, fever, sneezing, etc.
Some of the symptoms of seasonal allergy are:
- Cough
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Eternally
- Itchy or watery eyes
The common difference between a COVID-19 infection and a seasonal allergy is that with an allergy, you may not experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. You may also not have a fever all the time.
However, if you’re still feeling restless and think you have something more than an allergy, your best bet is to get a Covid-19 test and rest. Also, always wear masks and sanitize your hands.
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