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Beach House Recovery Center » Blog » Allergies vs. Coronavirus Symptoms: How to Tell the Difference
Now that the global spread of COVID-19 has started to overlap with spring allergy season, the sneezes, sniffles and coughs you usually have at this time of year might have become a more serious concern. How can you tell the difference between allergies vs. coronavirus symptoms, and when should you worry?
Allergies can make you feel like you’re coming down with something more severe. For example, congestion, sinus drainage and a runny nose can all indicate either a cold or allergies. However, if you catch a virus such as the flu or COVID-19, you will probably have a fever, body aches and extreme fatigue.
Though you might hear some people call spring allergies “hay fever,” allergy sufferers typically do not experience an increase in body temperature. If you take your temperature and it is higher than normal, you may be sick, not allergic. Conversely, people with allergies often have itchy eyes, nose, mouth and ears, but itching is not a symptom of COVID-19.
Though someone can contract coronavirus and remain asymptomatic, the most frequently experienced symptoms include a cough, high fever, sore throat and shortness of breath. Many people with COVID-19 have also reported losing their senses of smell and taste.
It’s possible to have spring allergies and develop coronavirus at the same time. Allergy sufferers at this time of year should keep an eye on their symptoms and pay closer attention to how they feel. If you develop fatigue, weakness, body aches, a fever or a dry cough, call your doctor.
It’s normal for spring allergy symptoms to vary in severity from year to year, so if you feel worse this spring than you remember feeling in the past, don’t immediately assume you have COVID-19. If you’ve never experienced allergies before and have suddenly developed them, that’s also not necessarily cause for alarm. Your immune system can change throughout your life, so even if you didn’t have allergies as a child, you can start having them in adulthood.
These tips for staying healthy are especially useful this year because the COVID-19 outbreak has coincided with peak allergy season for many people.
Beach House is a private, secluded beachfront retreat located in beautiful Florida, in the small coastal community of Juno Beach. Our leadership team’s proactive response to the COVID-19 pandemic has ensured our campus is one of the cleanest and safest addiction treatment facilities in the nation. Substance abuse remains a nationwide health crisis, even in these unprecedented times, and we are dedicated to providing world-class care to those who need it. Contact us anytime for a confidential conversation with one of our admissions counselors.
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
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