Aug. 10. If you experience seasonal allergies, it can be difficult to tell the difference between typical allergy symptoms and COVID-19. 

There’s no reason to worry if you’re an allergy sufferer. Pediatric allergist Dr. Puja Rajani at Novant Health Pediatric

Allergy & Immunology explains a few major differences between the two.

1. Rajani said fever is one of the biggest differentiators between seasonal allergies and novel coronavirus. It can cause a fever; allergies cannot. 

2. Another major distinction is that allergies will come with some level of itchiness, while coronavirus will not. Itchy or watery eyes are common signs of allergies.

Patients diagnosed with the coronavirus experience three main symptoms:

Fever

Dry cough

Shortness of breath

3. A sore throat or body aches could be an indication it’s something more serious.

A quick onset of aches and pains, fatigue, exhaustion or weakness is unlikely with allergies,” Rajani said. “While allergies can cause fatigue, it is usually very gradual, not ‘hitting you like a ton of bricks’ as has been described with viral infections.”

If you have a known history of allergies, consider this: If you do not have a fever, “try a stepwise approach with using your usual treatments, such as long-acting antihi
stamines or nasal sprays,” Rajani said.

4. If you’re producing mucus, it’s likely allergies or cold and flu symptoms, and not a COVID-19 infection. Rajani said a runny nose and mucus is typically clear in allergy sufferers. Yellow or green-colored mucus likely points to a viral condition, such as the flu. Rajani cautioned people not to jump to conclusions.

“There are other viruses besides flu that are around – parainfluenza, rhinovirus, enterovirus – so do not jump to conclusions, but take appropriate action,” Rajani said. “Wear a mask if you have symptoms and until you can be evaluated.”

—Gina DiPietro, courtesy of  Novant Health