Are you experiencing seasonal allergies or the new coronavirus? Doctor weighs in
Sixteen days after coming down with what he thought was a case of seasonal allergies, or perhaps the common cold, 35-year-old Mike O'Brien died, The Hartford Courant reported. What his symptoms actually stemmed from was COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines said, the mild March weather this year has allowed for plants and trees to begin blooming faster, leading ultimately to a fast and intense allergy season.
"This season so far is shaping up to be quite a high pollen season for those from Georgia through the Carolinas so far," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert said. "They have had some very high tree pollen levels, especially lately without much rainfall to clear the air of pollen."
Due to the way March has gone in terms of weather conditions, Kines said people are "most definitely" experiencing seasonal allergies right now -- during a viral pandemic. And with growing worry over a staggering number of cases in the U.S. and worldwide, symptoms that could be confused for COVID-19 could surely cause added anxiety for those who suffer from allergies.
"If everything 'pops' at once it sets the stage for a bad but short allergy season," Kines said. "A cool spring allows the vegetation to open slowly, which in turn allows for a more manageable allergy season but also a longer one."
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A Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police vehicle is parked on the other side of a tape police line along the Tidal Basin as cherry blossoms cover the trees, in Washington, Monday, March 23, 2020. As Washington, D.C. continues to work to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Mayor Muriel Bowser extended road closures and other measures to restrict access to the Tidal Basin, a main tourist attraction. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) |
Jennifer Dantzer, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University said there are some symptoms of seasonal allergies that could be mistaken for COVID-19 symptoms, but many of the symptoms differ.
"A big difference is fever, that is common with COVID-19 but should not be caused by seasonal allergies. You also typically don't get body aches with allergies but you can see it with COVID-19," Dantzer, who works in the school's Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, told AccuWeather. "Things like sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose are common with allergies but not with COVID-19."
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Dantzer did note that one symptom in particular could cause a bit of confusion from people -- a cough, which can be a symptom of COVID-19 and allergies alike. She said for people with asthma especially, seasonal allergens could trigger a cough.
In the case of O'Brien, what started as a cough soon developed into shortness of breath, a low oxygen level and eventually a fever of 104.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
"If you're having a cough or any shortness of breath, then I would contact your doctor to first see if you need to be evaluated. Second, because of that overlap, see if you need to be tested or to self-isolate," she said, stressing that anyone experiencing trouble breathing or worse, a cough, should reach out to a doctor.
As people begin experiencing cabin fever from being cooped up in their homes, Reppert said there are preventative measures that can be taken to lessen the symptoms of allergies when going outside.
"The best time to go out is in the afternoon and early evening as pollen levels are highest in the morning hours. That is even more true during dry and warm times when temperatures are staying well above freezing at night," Reppert said.
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Two golfers walkdown a fairway with thier clubs on their backs at Forest Park Golf Course, Friday, March 20, 2020, in New York. With warm weather, people working from home are tempted to escape to the outdoors for a sport where they can practice safe social distancing. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) |
Reppert said just like people going outside, pets can track allergens into the house. He said the best thing pet owners can do to prevent allergens being brought into the house is to wipe down the pets when they are ready to come inside.
"I would recommend that everyone keep up with their allergy medication if they're typically bothered this time of year. They can also do some things if they are going outside like taking a shower to rinse off when they go indoors, and that can help get rid of any pollen that has landed on them while they have been outside," Dantzer said. "When they are inside, closing the windows so that they are not constantly being exposed to the pollen."
Even though many seeking to escape outdoors amid the pandemic may hope for dry weather, allergy sufferers may want to wish for the occasional rainstorm that can help to clear the air of most but not all allergens. According to Reppert, most allergen levels are lower after a rainstorm with the exception of mold, which can get worse.
"Pollen will be better for a day or two, but can come raging back based on the time of year, and if the plants start growing more because of that rain," he said. "Weeds and grass... can really take off after a rain, but that is delayed a few days usually."
Dentzer said if the only symptoms a person is experiencing are sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes, then there should be no reason to worry about COVID-19. She suggests people track symptoms to see if they are any different than previous years.
"If there's a big difference in what they're feeling this year compared to prior years, then they should contact their doctor," Dentzer said, stressing that if someone is worried, then it's best to touch base with a doctor, who can decide if testing or further evaluation is needed.
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