Some coronavirus symptoms are
similar to those triggered by allergies. Therefore, it is important to know how
they differ and when to consult. In this space we detail it.
How to differentiate allergy from
coronavirus infection? First of all, it is recommended that the general
population, when they suspect a coronavirus infection, contact their GP, or go
to a medical center to be evaluated.
It will not always be easy to
differentiate, for example, allergy from coronavirus infection. So how will we
know if we are in need of a medical consultation or stay in our homes?
We will begin by clarifying that
all diseases, including allergy or coronavirus infection, will manifest
themselves differently in each individual. Therefore, when in doubt, it is
better to make a medical consultation, whether virtual, by phone or in person.
In the case of COVID-19, what has
been suggested is to stay at home and request home care or using telemedicine.
Since the virus is highly contagious, it is best to respect the confinement
measure.
The foregoing applies, especially
if there are suspicious symptoms, an infected person has been contacted, or if
they have traveled to a risk area. In this opportunity, as a guide, we will
first see the symptoms of coronavirus infection and then the symptoms of
allergy.
Symptoms of coronavirus infection
People with coronavirus or
COVID-19 infection often have flu-like symptoms. According to information published
by the World Health Organization (WHO) , its clinical manifestations mainly
include:
• Fever
• Dry
cough
• Fatigue
Some people may also have muscle
aches, a stuffy nose, a sore throat, or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually
mild and appear gradually or progressively. The majority of people infected
with coronavirus is recovered within a week or a little more, without special
treatment.
A small number of people who
develop coronavirus infection (COVID-19) may manifest a more serious illness
and have respiratory distress, and the need for hospitalization. Often, they
are patients with previous respiratory diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular
diseases, diseases of the immune system, among others.
About the coronavirus
The main form of spread of the
coronavirus is between people, through respiratory droplets produced by
talking, sneezing, or coughing. However, there could also be a possible
contagion from contact with contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes,
nose or mouth without first washing hands.
The epidemiology of coronavirus
infection is changing day by day and will be different in different countries.
This is so because as it is a new disease there is no previous immunity in the
population.
For this reason, any suspected
case of coronavirus infection will be evaluated in its particular context
(previous trips, country of origin, contact with an infected person, presence
of autochthonous cases, etc.).
Health professionals are
constantly updated regarding this new virus and will know what to do in each
case. Finally, it should be noted that people who have fever, cough and
shortness of breath should seek medical attention immediately.
Allergy symptoms
The term allergy groups a set of
reactions of the immune system to the presence of allergens in the body. In
this case, we will refer to the so-called
allergic rhinitis , which is the one that can confuse patients now that
the coronavirus outbreak exists. Its symptoms include:
• Sneezing
attack
• Nasal
congestion or runny nose
• Itchy
eyes, red, watery eyes
• Itchy
nose or throat
• Cough
• Postnasal
drip
• Eye
bags
• Fatigue
Allergic rhinitis is known to be
a fairly common condition, in both children and adults. Sometimes, it can be
accompanied by other allergic manifestations in different parts of the body.
Many times, there is a family history of allergy.
In general, symptoms will be
limited to the face area, will be persistent and will not worsen over the days.
Rather, they may disappear within hours, after walking away and getting rid of
the allergen.
Comparison of allergy and coronavirus infection
When comparing the symptoms of
both conditions, we see that many of them overlap, but there will be others
that will be specific to each, such as fever, which allow us to differentiate
between the two.
In any case, there may initially
be concern, especially since the milder cases of COVID-19 are barely
symptomatic. For this reason, it is important, when suspicious, to request the
corresponding attention and take into account if there is a history of:
• Previous
allergies
• Contact
with an infected person
• Travel
to areas with high contagion rates
All these data will be decisive
to establish if it is only an outbreak of allergy, or if it may be a
coronavirus infection. The doctor will determine if tests are necessary.
Discover: Coronavirus and
psoriasis: what you need to know
Coronavirus allergy and infection: what should be clear?
Before turning on the coronavirus
alerts, it is important to determine if there are previous allergies and how
the symptoms are evolving. While there are some similarities, allergies tend to
improve without complications. In any case, in case of suspicion, it is best to
consult, request the pertinent evidence and respect the measure of confinement.
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