Seasonal allergy vs COVID: How to tell the difference

20th October 2023

Seasonal allergy vs COVID: How to tell the difference

In a world where seasonal allergies and COVID coexist, it’s common to mix up the two. The overlap in symptoms can be confusing, and if you don’t know which is which, you might be overlooking the right treatment. 

2020 was a scary year. Getting a cough instantly made you wonder, “Have I got COVID?” The infection rate hasn’t decreased, so it’s still an option to consider when you’re not feeling yourself. The challenge is that both allergies and COVID-19 show up similarly. As well as a cough, flu-like symptoms could be either too. Whether that’s having sneezing fits, you have a runny or stuffy nose, you’re beyond exhausted, or you have a headache and a sore throat that you can’t seem to shift. 

How do you tell them apart?

Several key differences set them apart. Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, occur when your immune system reacts to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or certain foods. Allergy symptoms are generally consistent and predictable, occurring during specific seasons or after exposure to known triggers.

First and foremost, both have the potential to affect your breath. If you have severe difficulty breathing, you could be experiencing anaphylaxis and need to call 999 straight away. If, instead, you’re just feeling like you’ve had a big workout though you haven’t moved, that might be COVID.

Beyond that, a big indicator that what you’re experiencing is down to allergies and not COVID is because your symptoms happen regularly. If this isn’t your first time experiencing the discomfort you’re going through, it’s more than likely an allergy. Some other telltale signs are dark circles under your eyes, or you start to develop a rash. 

COVID takes things to the next level. You can usually tell them apart as there is a wider range of symptoms than allergies. While respiratory symptoms dominate, COVID can affect various organ systems, leading to more severe complications.

If what you’re experiencing is instead COVID, you’re likely also experiencing a fever, your muscles ache, and your symptoms are worsening, but in one time period, you’re not getting better and then worse repeatedly. A loss of taste and smell is a big giveaway that you’re experiencing COVID and not allergies. It is worth considering that a loss of taste and smell could be a sign of a sinus infection too. So It’s important to consider all your symptoms, not just isolating them.

Taking the first step: Testing

The first step toward clarity and relief is to take a test. If you feel your symptoms are one-off and developing, then COVID is likely the issue. But, if your symptoms feel more permanent and ongoing, it’s more likely to be an allergy.

Instead of leaving it up to chance and living with your discomfort, take the positive steps towards identification. When you know the issue, you can start to take positive steps towards a more comfortable quality of life. 

Don’t let the confusion between allergies and COVID-19 keep you guessing. Take control of your health and well-being by registering as a new patient or calling us at 02031 433 449. Our team is here to provide the answers and support you need to live your best, symptom-free life.

FAQ: Is it hay fever or COVID?

21st April 2021

FAQ: Is it hay fever or COVID?

The sun’s finally making an appearance again, lockdown is lifting, and we’re all getting a much-needed taste of freedom. But we’re also entering prime pollen season and are still facing a global pandemic. So hay fever and COVID-19 are both about to clash.

One in four people in the UK has hay fever. And as the symptoms of hay fever and COVID can vary so much person to person, it’s not unusual to be left scratching your head about whether you’re feeling under the weather because of your usual allergies or if it’s something more sinister.

With this in mind, we’re here to tackle some of the most common questions you may have about hay fever and COVID.

When does hay fever hit?

Typically, hay fever rears its ugly head from May to July. For frequent sufferers, this is often when symptoms hit their peak. But it isn’t uncommon for them to begin as early as February or as late as September.

The reason? Different pollen types will peak at different times of the year. And, as your allergies will vary year on year, it’s difficult to predict when you might start experiencing symptoms. If you’re a frequent sufferer, we recommend starting your preventative measures early to get ahead.

What symptoms overlap?

Symptoms of both hay fever and the coronavirus will vary largely from person to person. Common symptom overlaps are a loss of smell, sweating, headaches, a blocked nose, and generally feeling unwell. Experiencing any of these will warrant some extra thought – and perhaps even a quick COVID test just to be sure!

Hay fever can also heighten asthma in sufferers, resulting in wheezing and shortness of breath. As this is also one of the key signs of the coronavirus, it’s clear to see why some get confused.

I’ve never had hay fever before; is it coronavirus?

Just because you’ve never had hay fever before doesn’t mean you can’t get it now. There’s no rhyme or reason to hay fever. Some people don’t experience hay fever until later in life. Don’t rule out hay fever just because it’s something you’ve never experienced before.

What do I do if I’m unsure?

As per government guidelines, if you experience a high temperature, continuous cough, or loss of taste or smell, you must self-isolate. Out of the two issues, COVID is far more dangerous, and it’s safer to not assume your symptoms are just hay fever until you have a test to confirm.

If you’re a frequent hay fever sufferer, the best thing to do is to try to get ahead of your symptoms altogether. That means taking daily over-the-counter hay fever medication, minimising time spent outdoors, and closing windows and doors to prevent pollen from getting inside.

If you can reduce your chances of experiencing hay fever symptoms, you also reduce the worry of having to decipher between COVID and your allergies.

At London Allergy & Immunology Centre, we always recommend speaking to a professional about any new symptoms – allergy or otherwise. If you think you have COVID-19, get in touch with the NHS on their website. If you think it is an allergy, we’d be more than happy to help. Get in touch on 02031 433 449.