An allergic reaction has symptoms – nasal congestion, cough, watery eyes. And coronavirus infection, like any ARVI, can also begin with similar symptoms.
Since the terrible coronavirus epidemic began in the world, everyone susceptible to seasonal allergies has become more alert than usual – after all, a runny nose, sneezing and redness of the eyes can also be symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Doctors conducted various studies, during which they found out the main differences in the symptoms of two completely different phenomena.
So, allergist-immunologist Vladimir Bolibok explained that the manifestation of a runny nose and sneezing is distinguished by allergic reactions, but an increase in temperature may already be a reason to take a coronavirus test.
“A seasonal allergy itself is, as a rule, a runny nose with itching in the nose, redness of the eyes, also with itching. The most common symptom of allergies is sneezing, a profuse runny nose, or nasal congestion, which are not common with covid. With it, a dry cough immediately begins, a fever, which, on the contrary, is not typical for allergies and is a signal to get tested, ”says the specialist.
And his colleague, a practicing physician and member of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Maria Polner, added: the main symptoms of seasonal allergic reactions are conjunctivitis, nasal congestion, swelling, lacrimation. The expert explained that a coronavirus infection can also begin. However, with covid disease, the temperature rises greatly, while in allergy sufferers it usually does not exceed 37,5.
In addition, seasonal patients report similar symptoms in previous years. That is, if a person has not previously experienced such symptoms, then this is already a reason to consult a doctor.
Doctors convince: if any suspicious symptoms appear, a PCR test should be performed as soon as possible, especially if they have never appeared before.
“For any suspicious symptoms, a PCR test should be performed to detect the disease. If a number of symptoms occur this year for the first time, then it is worth taking the test at least twice. We will have to make sure that there is no covid, and then contact an allergist to identify what there is an allergic reaction to, ”she concluded.
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