What are the differences and similarities between allergies and COVID-19?

If you are feeling sneezy, feverish, short of breath, exhausted, or achy, you may be wondering if your signs and symptoms are due to seasonal allergies or COVID-19. The table below covers many of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and allergies. However, there are other features that help to identify the two conditions. The following will help to further identify the similarities and differences between these conditions.
Signs & Symptoms | COVID-19 | Allergy | |
---|---|---|---|
Fever | Often | Uncommon | |
Fatigue, Tiredness | Occasional, increases with time | Occasional | |
Sneezing | Infrequent | Common | |
Body Aches & Pains | Occasional, sometimes severe | Occasional | |
Headache | Occasional | Occasional | |
Sore Throat | Occasional | Occasional | |
Stuffy or Runny Nose | Infrequent | Common | |
Diarrhea | Infrequent | Common | |
Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis) | Infrequent but possibly common in severe infections | Common | |
Watery Eyes | Infrequent | Common | |
Itchy Throat, Eyes & Ears | Infrequent | Common | |
Cough | Dry cough, often severe | Occasional | |
Shortness of Breath/Wheezing | With mild/moderate infection | Occasional with wheezing | |
Difficulty Breathing* | Common in severe infection* | Common in severe attacks | |
Chills | Common | Uncommon | |
Repeated Shaking Chills | Common | Uncommon | |
Muscle Pain | Common | Uncommon | |
Ageusia (Loss of Taste) and/or Anosmia (Loss of Smell) | Occasional | Infrequent | |
COVID Toes (Toe Rash) | Occasional | No | |
Stroke Symptoms & Signs (<50 Years of Age) | Infrequent | No | |
Kawasaki Disease Symptoms & Signs | Possibly in children | No | |
*Needs oxygen or ventilator |
Allergy
An allergy develops due to hypersensitivity of the body's immune system response to a usually harmless substance in the environment. Such substances (known as allergens) may be
- foods,
- chemicals like perfumes,
- plants,
- animal dander, and
- many others.
For the patient, one or more substances exposed to mucus membranes or skin may trigger an allergic reaction (for example, an asthma attack, skin rash, and symptoms listed in the table above). In contrast, COVID-19 is a disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. Allergies are not contagious, but COVID-19 is very contagious. Rarely does an allergy cause life-threatening problems (except for an acute severe asthma attack), while about 20% of COVID-19 infections can require hospital care. Pneumonia usually does not occur with allergies but people with rather severe SARS-CoV-2 infections often develop pneumonia. Some allergies occur seasonally (pollen production, "allergy season"). Seasonality is not yet evident with COVID-19 due to a lack of data.
COVID-19
COVID-19 is a viral (SARS-CoV-2 is the name of the virus) respiratory disease identified in December 2019. In contrast, allergies have multiple triggers, are not contagious, and have been identified in humans for many generations. COVID-19 has an incubation period of about 2-14 days, while allergy symptoms don't have an incubation period. Person-to-person transmission spreads the viral disease. Allergies are unique to each individual and do not spread to other people.
COVID-19 progresses over a few days with increasing severity of signs and symptoms in people who have symptoms, while people with allergies usually have signs and symptoms in minutes to hours after exposure to a trigger substance. Both COVID-19 and allergies, when severe, may need emergency respiratory support and other supportive care. This need can arise quickly in some people. One difference between COVID-19 and severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis, for example) is that severe COVID-19-infected patients usually have had bouts of high fever and chills before respiratory failure. Also, there are rapid tests (5-15 minutes) that can identify those people infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. Tests for allergies to determine the triggers may take a number of tests over time.
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially list the following as symptoms that may appear 2-14 days after exposure:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and at least two of the following
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste (ageusia) or smell (anosmia)
The CDC suggest people who have the following seek medical attention immediately:
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
However, other signs and symptoms not yet listed by the CDC but may be signs of COVID-19 infection include COVID toes (reddish-purple discoloration of skin on the toes) and stroke in some patients (<50 years of age due to unusual thrombus formations) as an initial sign of COVID-19 infection. Some children may exhibit signs and symptoms of Kawasaki disease (fever, rash, eye irritation, and swollen lymph nodes with possible cardiac problems) as an indication of COVID-19 infection.
Over time, as the CDC and other researchers investigate COVID-19 infections, they may notice other features of the disease (for example, higher infection rates in males and African-Americans, and possible severity reduction and/or infection rate in people who in the past have had a BCG vaccination) and possibly expand the list of potential associated signs and symptoms.
Treatments
Treatments for signs and symptoms that may accompany both allergies and COVID-19 (conjunctivitis, sinusitis, congestion, and others) are mainly over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Your doctor may treat other problems that may occur at the same time (like ear congestion/infection, bronchitis, and sinus infection) with antibiotics.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people with prescribed allergy medication follow their doctor's recommendations and continue immunotherapy. Other treatments may include immunotherapies such as allergy injections and/or removal of nasal polyps. None of these treatments treat COVID-19.
Treatment of COVID-19 currently (Apr. 30, 2020) is supportive care with severe infections requiring oxygen delivery and/or respiratory support with a ventilator. COVID-19 severe infections are due usually to viral pneumonia, which is not responsive to epinephrine. Although there is no definitive treatment, vaccines, antiviral drugs, convalescent serum (immunoglobulin), and immune enhancement methods are under active investigation as potential treatments. In late April, an antiviral drug, remdesivir, showed a significant reduction in hospitalization days for COVID-19 infections. It is the first drug to show some ability to help patients.
Health News
- Baby Boys 'Talk' More During First Year Compared to Girls
- U.S. Teen Birth Rate Hits Another Historic Low
- Cancer Survivors Who Keep Smoking Have Double the Risk for Heart-Related Death
- Need a Prostate Exam? Here's What to Expect
- Prostatitis: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Top COVID-19 vs. Allergies Related Articles
Common Allergies: Symptoms and Signs
What are allergies? Pollen, food, perfumes, and many more things can provoke allergy symptoms. Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system where the body's defenses react to certain allergens. Learn about common allergy triggers and how you can avoid an allergy attack.Allergy (Allergies)
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.Food Allergies Slides
What common food allergens cause the most problems for adults and children? See this list of common food allergies and learn to avoid allergens with these tips.Coronavirus COVID-19 Prevention: Test Your Medical IQ
What's really the best way to prevent the spread of new coronavirus COVID-19? Should wear a mask or not? Take this quiz to find out!Makeup Allergy
Fragrances and preservatives in cosmetics may cause allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms include redness, itching, and swelling after the product comes in contact with the person's skin. Treatment typically involves the use of over-the-counter cortisone creams.What Is Endotracheal Intubation?
Doctors perform endotracheal intubation when a patient cannot breathe on their own, whether it is due to surgery, disease, or an emergency. Endotracheal intubation is the safest way of providing breathing support to COVID-19 coronavirus disease patients who have severe lung symptoms.Food Allergy
The most common food allergies are to eggs, nuts, milk, peanuts, fish, shellfish, strawberries and tomatoes. Symptoms and signs of a food allergy reaction include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, itching, hives, eczema, asthma, lightheadedness, and anaphylaxis. Allergy skin tests, RAST, and ELISA tests may be used to diagnose a food allergy. Though dietary avoidance may be sufficient treatment for mild allergies, the use of an Epipen may be necessary for severe food allergies.How Do the COVID-19 Coronavirus Tests Work?
Tests used for detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) may use two methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19 disease, a debilitating and potentially deadly viral pneumonia. Genomic or molecular detection confirms the presence of viral DNA. The immunoglobulin or serology tests can tell whether or not you have been exposed to coronavirus, but not whether you are currently infected. Both tests administered in tandem can give you your complete COVID-19 infection status.How Long Does an Allergic Reaction Last?
Allergic reactions may last for varying lengths of time. They may take a few hours to a few days to disappear. If the exposure to the allergen continues, such as during a spring pollen season, allergic reactions may last for longer periods such as a few weeks to months.Ways to Reduce Mold Allergies
WebMD shows you 10 ways to fight the fungus and reduce mold allergy symptoms from dust masks to bottles of bleach.10 Signs Your Allergies Are Out of Control
Learn 10 signs your allergies are out of control. See these surprising allergy symptoms and find out how to get relief for sneezing, congestion, watery eyes, and more.How to Differentiate Between the Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19, Allergies, Cold, and Flu?
Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 will experience a mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without the need for intensive or special treatment. Serious illness is more likely in elderly people and those with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer.Strategies for Ventilator Management
Intubation is a procedure performed to hook someone up to a ventilator when they are unable to breathe by themselves. It may be a life-saving procedure in the emergency room (ER) or planned during the surgery when the patient is under general anesthesia. Ventilators have different settings a respiratory therapist adjusts for each patient based on the level to which their breathing is compromised.What Are the 4 Types of Allergic Reactions?
Allergists recognize four types of allergic reactions: Type I or anaphylactic reactions, type II or cytotoxic reactions, type III or immunocomplex reactions and type IV or cell-mediated reactions.What Is Considered to Be Fever for COVID-19?
A body temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher is generally seen in people with COVID-19, although not everyone who is infected with the virus will develop a fever. Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure to infection. Other COVID-19 symptoms may include cough, runny nose, body aches, headache, sore throat, difficulty breathing, nausea with or without vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste, loss of smell, and abdominal pain.Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention Quiz
Why is coronavirus considered dangerous? What are the symptoms you should look for? Take this COVID-19 prevention quiz to learn how to protect yourself.