How to distinguish coronavirus symptoms from allergies

With the onset of spring and the blooming season, many people have worsened allergies. During this period, it is extremely important to distinguish a reaction to pollen and other irritants from an infectious disease, especially coronavirus. What is common between coronavirus infection and allergy and what are their main differences, tells the candidate of medical sciences, doctor-allergologist of the European Medical Center Ksenia Yakovleva.

The question of how to distinguish between infection and allergy bothered people long before the spread of COVID-19. Indeed, respiratory viral diseases can be very similar to allergies. But there are still significant differences between the two.

Fever

A viral illness, especially a moderate or severe one, is always accompanied by a fever, usually above 37.5 degrees Celsius. When allergies, such as seasonal allergic rhinitis, are exacerbated, this is extremely rare. Often such a complication occurs precisely because the allergy is aggravated by an infection.

Intoxication

COVID-19 is characterized by intoxication. With coronavirus infection, people most often complain of malaise, weakness, muscle and joint pains, brokenness. With allergies, however, breathing becomes difficult, there is itching in the eyes, redness, but there are no general symptoms of intoxication. In addition, patients with coronavirus have constant shortness of breath and a drop in blood oxygen levels.

Intoxication is a condition in which consciousness, cognitive functioning, perception, judgment, emotional state, behavior, or other psychophysiological functions and reactions are impaired.

Absence of pruritus

A mild course of coronavirus without fever or muscle pain can be mistaken for an allergic reaction. But the action of the allergen is usually associated with itching in the nose or eyes. Coronavirus has no such symptoms.

Sudden loss of sense of smell

In those who struggle with allergies, the sense of smell is lost gradually, and after a prolonged exacerbation. Whereas with coronavirus infection, the patient stops smelling odors suddenly and cannot detect them even at close range.

Doctors pay special attention to the patient’s medical history. It is necessary to find out whether he has had allergies before, whether his body is prone to allergic reactions, whether the person has been in contact with COVID-19 patients, whether he observes safety measures. Already on the basis of this information and the analysis of symptoms, the therapist makes initial conclusions, gives recommendations and refers to one or another specialist.

Do not self-diagnose and even less self-medicate. If symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor to find out your diagnosis.