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Determining Between Allergies and Covid-19

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Taking an antihistamine or taking a rapid antigen test. One is no big deal, the other has the potential to be a very big deal. People with allergies tend to get sinus irritation and nasal congestion, and because the Covid virus is a respiratory infection there’s the possibility of those symptoms being the result of one or the other. A person with pollen allergies for example is not going to think they have COVID if they’re sneezing incessantly because of a freshly cut lawn in early June. Allergy medication will do. But there may be other instances where people will be asking, do I have allergies or Covid?

Some allergic reactions will also involve muscle tiredness and aching, and that can also be a sign when a person has a Covid infection. So, it’s not unnatural for people to wonder do I have allergies or Covid and of course that’s a serious matter because first and foremost you don’t want to possibly be exposing other people to the virus. Fortunately, the current dominant variant of Covid doesn’t cause symptoms as severe, but it is super contagious and easily passed to others.

In that sense it really is a shame that COVID is a respiratory infection, because having it be airborne it is such a threat. Everyone is always breathing in and out, and there’s no way you can live a life and not pass by people in close proximity. One exception to that might be for the residents of Ulleungdo, a beautiful island of the East Coast of Korea that is one of the only places in the world where there still hasn’t been a reported case of the virus. Can we assume those islanders never worry about do I have allergies or Covid? Quite likely. There are always huge advantages to island life.

Let’s look more at the symptoms that can cross between allergies and Covid and other points you should be aware of in trying to decide if you need to take a Covid test and / or begin quarantining at home.

Your Symptom Comparison

On that note if you do have to quarantine keep in mind it’s not so bad if you’re able to work remotely and you have a drum set in the garage. Or any other type of engaging hobby. You might have a home gym down there too, but it’s best to notexercise when you’ve got Covid. Walking is a good idea if you feel you need to move. This has nothing to do with do I have allergies or Covid, so let’s get back on track with comparing allergy and Covid symptoms so that you can make the distinction for yourself.

Sneezing is not a Covid-19 symptom, but it is for allergy sufferers and especially those with hay fever like we mentioned earlier when talking about mowing the lawn. But the runny nose that may come along with that can be a sign of Covid 19 or just an allergic reaction symptom. Same goes for sinus pressure or pain, that may be because of Covid or because of allergies. As mentioned, body aches can occur when a person is developing the infection, or they may only be because of your immune system going into overdrive because of allergens.

Here’s another thing that those hay fever sufferers will know all too well – itchy, watery eyes. For a lot of seasonal allergy sufferers – and I’m one of them – the two reactions that are the worst are the constant sneezing and the itchy eyes. Itchy eyes that only get itchier if you rub them. But enough about that with our look at do I have allergies or Covid. If you have a Covid infection you will not get eye irritation or watering.

Let’s list the rest of the symptoms that only Covid symptoms and not allergies:

• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Inability to taste or smell
• Brain fog

Temperature Taking Time

We have talked about what you need to know around do I have allergies or Covid, but the best move anyone can make in that situation is to have their temperature taken. As the list above indicates, a growing fever is probably the most telltale and reliable sign of a COVID infection, and that’s why some places were taking people’s temperatures before allowing them to board flights or attend conferences. Your temperature can tell you if have Covid, and this is best choice for do I have allergies or Covid. If you don’t have a thermometer at home, you can feel your forehead and then visit a medical clinic.

The last thing we’ll say here around do I have allergies or Covid is to insist once again that taking an antimalarial like Plaquenil or any type of hydro chloroquine. The Big Cheeto may have thought it could prevent Covid-19, but you shouldn’t be so foolish.

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