While the longer days and milder weather of spring inspire hope for a summer free of restrictions, hay fever sufferers have started coughing and spluttering.
And, after focusing on coronavirus symptoms for the past two years, the emergence of seasonal and allergy-related symptoms can make distinguishing between the two more difficult.
Thankfully, thanks to a successful immunization program, coronavirus mortality have decreased, and COVID-19 isolation is no longer required by law. If you have any symptoms or a positive test result, stay at home and avoid contact with others, according to public health guidance. Knowing how to tell if a cough is caused by a coronavirus or hay fever is just as important.
Hay fever is most common between late March and September, when pollen counts are at their peak. How can you identify if pollen or the infection is to blame when coughing is a telltale indication of both the coronavirus and hay fever?
How do the symptoms of coronavirus and hay fever compare?
Fever, new and persistent cough, and loss of taste or smell, among other symptoms, are frequent coronavirus symptoms, according to the NHS.
Shortness of breath, feeling weary or exhausted, hurting body, headache, sore throat, clogged or runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and feeling sick or being sick are among the nine additional symptoms recently added to the list.
Hay fever is known to cause fatigue. An allergy to pollen, like the coronavirus, can cause a loss of smell but not taste.
For hay fever sufferers, headache is one of the newest coronavirus symptoms, and they may also experience pain in their temples and forehead during pollen season.
Hay fever sufferers frequently have itchy, red, or watery eyes. Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, can also be caused by the coronavirus.
Sneezing, earaches, and a runny or clogged nose are frequent hay fever symptoms, which are similar to one of the coronavirus symptoms of a blocked or runny nose.
Hay fever, contrary to its name, does not result in a fever, which is a telltale indication of the coronavirus. An infection-related elevated temperature is defined by the NHS as feeling hot to the touch on the chest or back.
"Hay fever does not create a high temperature, and most individuals do not feel ill," according to Boots' chief pharmacist Marc Donovan.
Hay fever does not cause general aches and pains (though hay fever sufferers may experience earaches as well as headaches), diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting. In the meanwhile, hay fever sufferers do not have a sore throat, but their mouth, nose, and ears may be itchy.
The coronavirus usually makes individuals feel better within a few weeks, whereas hay fever can last all summer. Long covid, however, is still something to be aware of, and people should take it easy when recovering.
According to previous studies, more than four out of five cases of the coronavirus Covid-19 are moderate, while complications can cause breathing difficulties or shortness of breath. These symptoms could potentially indicate an illness.
These signs and symptoms are similar to those of hay fever. Pollen allergy causes chest tightness, dyspnea, wheezing, and coughing in asthmatics.
Chest pain or pressure, as well as a loss of speech or movement, have been related to more severe cases of the coronavirus.
If you have symptoms of coronavirus or hay fever and aren't sure what to do, get medical advice.
