Because the COVID-19 outbreak overlaps with allergy season, it can be difficult to determine if you are getting sick or just experiencing seasonal allergies.
, an allergist at Baylor College of Medicine, said one of the key differences between the two is that allergies tend to present the same symptoms every year.
“If there is a significant change in your allergy symptoms from what you have had in the past, then you should consider being evaluated by a physician,” Sur said.
Since allergies can sometimes make you feel as though you are catching an illness, Sur explains the differences between the symptoms:
- Allergies mainly cause itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, congestion and sneezing.
- Symptoms of COVID-19 include a dry cough, fever and difficulty breathing.
Sur emphasized that a major difference between allergies and coronavirus is the presence of fever. A fever is a main symptom of coronavirus but not a feature in seasonal allergies.
