Allergy season is nothing new, but everyone is a little more vigilant about the sniffles because of the pandemic. Knowing how to tell if it’s COVID-19 or allergies can put your mind at ease.

Even if you regularly suffer from seasonal springtime allergies, it can still be stressful and confusing to develop symptoms of illness in the current climate. COVID-19 and seasonal allergies do share many similar symptoms, but there are also some important differences between the two. Learning how to tell the difference can help you take better control of your health and protect those around you.

Similarities Between COVID-19 and Allergies

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, so many of its main symptoms affect the respiratory system. Allergies are the immune system’s response to allergen exposure and can manifest in many different ways. Depending on the individual, allergies may cause certain respiratory symptoms as well.

Both COVID-19 and seasonal springtime allergies can trigger symptoms like sore throat and a cough. Sneezing, nasal congestion, and runny nose are less common in COVID-19 than in allergies, but they do occur, and nasal congestion can likewise lead to sinus headaches in both. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) can also accompany allergies and COVID-19, as can a general sense of bodily fatigue. The presence of only symptoms such as these can make it difficult to tell the difference between the two.

Differences Between COVID-19 and Allergies

Thankfully, there are many symptoms that seasonal allergies and COVID-19 do not share, making them easier to tell apart in most people. Symptoms that are generally limited to allergies include itchy and watery eyes, itchy nose, itchy ears, and skin rashes. Symptoms that are only indicative of COVID-19 include muscle aches, chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Rarely, COVID-19 is also accompanied by a chilblain-like inflammation of the toes.

COVID-19 and allergies can both lead to a loss of taste and smell but, in COVID-19, this will often manifest without a runny or stuffy nose. Taken as a sole symptom, the loss of taste and smell is usually an early indicator of COVID-19.

It is important to note that while difficulty breathing and shortness of breath are not uncommon in COVID-19, these symptoms are not typical of allergies unless you also have asthma or another respiratory condition.

What to Do If You Have Symptoms

If you are familiar with your allergy symptoms and you are able to find relief in your go-to allergy medication, then there isn’t much reason to worry that you have COVID-19. On the other hand, if your symptoms can also be strongly indicative of COVID-19, then you might want to exercise extra caution. In this case, you can speak to your doctor, take your provincial or territorial self-assessment tool, or simply book a COVID-19 test. Severe symptoms such as significant shortness of breath require immediate medical attention regardless of cause.

Though the pandemic brings some extra stress for allergy sufferers, being informed will help you relax. By carefully noting your symptoms and erring on the side of caution if you think you might have COVID-19, you’ll be able to successfully navigate the spring allergy season this year.