Environmental allergies, the common cold (from a community virus), the flu, and COVID-19 can all have similar symptoms, so how do you tell the difference? The answer is not always clear, but there are some typical characteristics of these ailments that help us differentiate their cause. Identifying the cause can help safely treat your symptoms at home.
Below we will discuss the common symptoms and how you may be able to determine what you are experiencing.
Environmental Allergies
Environmental allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to an environmental allergen (such as dust, pollen, mold, grass, or other substances). Some people deal with these types of allergies seasonally in the spring or fall. These are seasonal allergies, also sometimes called hay fever. Other people have allergies to substances in their environment year-round. Allergy symptoms are often nagging, relatively mild, and often continue longer than a week or two.
Symptoms of seasonal or environmental allergies often include:
- Sneezing
- Itching of the nose, eyes, or roof of the mouth
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Watery, red, itchy, or swollen eyes
- Scratchy throat
- Fatigue
The Common Cold
Caused by a community virus, symptoms are similar to the respiratory symptoms associated with allergies and usually involve sinus congestion, fatigue, and perhaps sore throat, cough, fever, and more. The duration of symptoms can help determine if you are experiencing the common cold. Cold symptoms should clear up in about 7-10 days, and seasonal allergy symptoms typically persist much longer.
Influenza ("The Flu")
Also caused by a virus, specifically the influenza virus. Symptoms associated with the flu are typically more severe than those associated with the common cold or allergies. The flu comes on quickly, with chills, muscle aches, and tiredness. It typically involves cough, sometimes headache, swollen lymph nodes, chest pressure, sore throat and nasal congestion. Most times the illness begins with a fever, which can be quite elevated and may last for a few days. Most flu symptoms resolve in 3-7 days but may last for up to 2 weeks, especially in the elderly or those with chronic lung disease. Persistent cough or shortness of breath beyond one week is worrisome for influenza developing into pneumonia.
COVID-19
Caused by the coronavirus, symptoms can vary significantly, and initially it can be difficult to know if symptoms are the beginning of environmental allergies, the common cold, flu or COVID-19 infection. One of the greatest challenges with COVID-19 is how unpredictable it can be. Some people have no symptoms at all. Others have symptoms similar to influenza. At times COVID-19 infection can cause loss of taste and smell. This symptom is strongly suggestive of COVID-19 infection, but often is not present. COVID-19 symptoms can also last longer than influenza and can cause breathing difficulties in high risk patients (elderly, immune-compromised, and those with chronic lung disease).
If you have any concern your symptoms could be COVID-19, you should take a test. A home, rapid test is sufficient for accurate results.
We welcome you to schedule a Virtual Appointment for evaluation, and treatment is available through our clinic. Early detection helps prevent spread and can help guide potential treatments. Thankfully, those who are vaccinated tend to have a milder course of illness. There is also prescription medication that may reduce symptoms.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
It’s always a good idea to consult your physician if you are unsure what is causing your symptoms. While allergies are non-contagious, the common cold, flu, COVID-19 are all caused by viruses and can be spread to others. Do your part to help reduce the spread of these contagious infections.
Checkout our article, Natural Remedies for Treating Allergies, for more information on treatment options.