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With the arrival of spring, many allergy sufferers begin their particular via crucis of sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose. Many others may experience the onset of a pollen allergy. But this year, in the midst of a pandemic and the arrival, in all likelihood, of a fourth wave of infections, allergic symptoms [...]
With the arrival of spring, many allergy sufferers begin their particular via crucis of sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose. Many others may experience the onset of a pollen allergy.
But this year, in the midst of a pandemic and the arrival, in all likelihood, of a fourth wave of infections, allergic symptoms can become a headache when they are confused with more typical symptoms of the coronavirus.
If we add to this that the weather is very changeable, freezing mornings and almost summer afternoons, colds can also become a cause for concern.
So, how to differentiate allergy, cold and Covid-19 symptoms? Well since the Spanish Society of Allergology They give us some keys to understand what is happening to us. The question lies in distinguishing the symptoms of each pathology and how it evolves.
Allergy
One of the most common manifestations of allergy is allergic rhinitis, which mainly produces an itchy nose, often itchy eyes as well, repeated sneezing, watery nasal discharge and more or less sudden nasal congestion.
The distinction from another pathology is easier if we are aware that we suffer from some type of allergy, especially if it is due to pollens. If we are not clear, we can suspect that it is an allergy if the symptoms worsen when the patient is outdoors and improve noticeably when he remains indoors.
In addition, the symptoms of allergic rhinitis usually relieve fairly quickly after taking topical or oral antihistamines.
The patient will almost certainly not have fever unless the rhinitis is complicated by acute sinusitis.
In the form of asthma
In the event that the allergy manifests itself in the form of asthma, some isolated symptoms may be dry cough and difficulty breathing. Both can be confused with the initial symptoms of coronavirus infection, but it must be remembered that asthma does not usually cause fever either.
As with rhinitis, we can assure that it is an allergy when asthma subsides when rescue bronchodilator treatments are used. (salbutamol or terbutaline).
Cold
Symptoms can begin like those of rhinitis: with nasal congestion, nasal congestion and, sometimes, sneezing. In general, they increase in intensity over the space of 1 to 3 days, and the mucus becomes thick, greenish-yellowish. The most normal thing in this case is for the symptoms to gradually subside over the next 3 or 4 days. This means that in a matter of a week we would be recovered from the cold, if it were not complicated by sinusitis.
If it is not a more intense cold, there is usually no high fever. Low-grade fever may appear and be accompanied by some general malaise.
Coronavirus
Data have shown that the symptoms can be mild (similar to a mild cold). But the most common thing is that the symptoms are more similar to those of the flu: moderate to intense fever, general malaise and tiredness, dry cough, although phlegm may appear, and difficulty breathing.
The symptoms are progressive, and from the beginning of their presentation they are usually associated with a feeling of general malaise, like when we start with the flu.
In any case, if there are any symptoms that make us suspect, it is best to reinforce prevention measures and go to our family doctor to rule out a coronavirus infection. But do it, of course, with the necessary precautions.
Finally, allergology experts want to clarify some issues for patients with allergies.
