Seasonal allergies are nothing new to the North State. With the many blossoming orchards, pollens, and grasses in Butte County, it’s nearly impossibly to live here and not experience an itchy throat, congestion, watery eyes, and sneezing at some point! These days, with COVID-19 still a prevalent part of our lives, if you’re out and about and someone is showing these kinds of symptoms, it can cause us to be a little on-edge, because some of these symptoms caused by allergies can also show up if someone has COVID-19. Find out some key indicators to know the difference.
Posted by: News 10
Seasonal Allergies or Corona Virus? Distinguishing Symptoms
If you're sniffling and sneezing, you're not alone. Many across Southern Oregon and Northern California are struggling with seasonal allergies at a time when coronavirus cases continue to rise.
Some are worried that they may have contracted the coronavirus, but Dr. Ryan Israelsen, a physician at the Allergy and Asthma Center of Southern Oregon said it is critical to know the difference in symptoms between coronavirus and seasonal allergies when pollen counts are so high.
"The biggest difference between the two is fever, allergies are not gonna cause a fever," he explained.
Israelsen said infections are known to cause fever, but if you're just sneezing, have a cough, or watery and itchy eyes then your symptoms are likely from seasonal allergies.
Pollen counts started to rise in late March and continue to rise in April across southern Oregon and northern California as trees and flowers bloom.
Right now tree pollen is the highest across the region, according to Israelsen, but he said in the next few weeks of May grass pollen will take a spike.
[Read Full Article]
Seasonal allergies and COVID-19 do share common symptoms such as:
- Cough
- Shortness of break or difficult breathing
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Sore Throat
- Congestion or Runny nose
However, symptoms more common of COVID-19 are:
- Fever and Chills
- Muscle and Body Aches
- New Loss of Taste or Smell
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If any of these symptoms also accompany your allergy symptoms, you should get tested for COVID-19.
Orchard Hospital is also offering community vaccination for COVID-19 every Friday at the Medical Specialty Center in Gridley!
Scheduling Moderna in the AM and Johnson & Johnson in the PM. The COVID-19 Vaccine is by appointment only. Please call and leave a message at (530) 797-3595. We will call you back within 24 hours.
Related Articles:
Frequently Asked Questions About the COVID-19 Vaccine
3 Key Differences Between Seasonal Allergies and the Common Cold
