How to tell symptoms of coronavirus, the flu and allergies apart?
Now that seasonal allergies are kicking in and flu season is approaching, many might be wondering how to tell their symptoms apart from COVID-19 symptoms.
Some of the common symptoms amongst all three are coughing, a runny nose, sneezing, congestion, chills. But how do you know which one of the three it is?
Allergy
Allergies might have you develop a cough, or your nose might get congested, and you might start sneezing, have headaches, and red and itchy eyes. In some cases, a rash may even occur around the eyes.
However, fever is not a symptom of allergies, while it is one of both the novel coronavirus, as well as influenza.
Influenza
While the coronavirus pandemic may be occupying most minds around the world, flu season is upon us, which will make it more challenging to seek coronavirus infected people out.
Fever is common in the majority of influenza cases; however, if you do not have a fever, but are experiencing body aches or headaches, that could be a sign that you have to flu. Other flu symptoms are chills, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and nausea or vomiting or diarrhoea.
Coronavirus
COVID-19 has some symptoms that are hard to differentiate from the above mentioned two. Coughing, congestion, runny nose and sneezing similarly to allergies, and fever, fatigue, body aches, headaches, sore throat, and sometimes diarrhoea, similarly to the flu.
High temperature and a dry cough seem to be the two leading symptoms of the novel coronavirus. Other symptoms are shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, dry cough, sputum production, a loss of smell or taste. In some cases, diarrhoea or nausea have also been reported, which are rare in adult flu cases, too.
How do you tell them apart? What was the first symptom? Itchy eyes and a runny nose? That will be allergies. Body aches and headaches? That might be the flu. High fever, followed by dry coughing? Could be COVID-19.
Also, important to note, that many COVID-19 cases come with mild symptoms, which could be mistaken for the flu, or no symptoms at all.
If you suspect you might have caught either the flu or COVID-19, it is best to self-isolate as best as you can, keep hydrated and rest. Also, call your general practitioner for advice, and in case your symptoms seem to be getting worse.
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Source: Daily News Hungary