DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COLD, ALLERGIES AND COVID-19

Hi friends.  We are excited to share, Telling the Difference Between a Cold, Allergies and COVID-19, by Patrick Bailey this week.  Thank you for providing this great post for us!!  We really enjoyed it and appreciate the time you took for us!!

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TELLING THE DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN A COLD, ALLERGIES AND COVID-19

 

TELLING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COLD, ALLERGIES AND COVID-19

 

One difficult thing about adjusting to COVID-19, as a society, is learning to tell the difference between the symptoms of this new virus and other conditions that have been around for many years.  Not fully understanding the differences between familiar conditions and COVID-19 can trigger anxiety or alternatively, can trigger a false sense of security during a global pandemic.

While it can be difficult to diagnose yourself, learning about the signs of various respiratory illnesses may help you to evaluate your own symptoms and determine when it’s time to see a doctor for urgent treatment.  It’s important to know about the general indicators of COVID-19, as well as the symptoms of other common illnesses.  This way, if something stands out, you can make an appointment for testing and additional evaluations.  There are many common diseases that affect the respiratory system, but as COVID-19 is a novel virus, its specific list of symptoms is still evolving and being discovered.

Let’s examine the symptoms of the following illnesses:

 

The Common Cold

What we call a cold can actually be triggered by more than 200 viruses.  Colds make you miserable, but they don’t typically cause long-term damage to your body.  A cold usually clears up on its own, although it can take quite a bit of time to do so.  Occasionally, you may develop another infection as a side effect of the cold, like an ear infection or sinus infection.  Normal cold symptoms include cough, mild chest discomfort, sneezing, head congestion, and a stuffy nose.

 

Influenza

In some cases, what may initially present as a cold is actually caused by one of the types of influenza virus.

Symptoms of the flu include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Body or muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sore throat

Left untreated in vulnerable individuals, the flu can cause serious complications such as pneumonia or death.

 




 

Seasonal or Situational Allergies

Allergy symptoms typically involve a histamine reaction in the body to the allergen.

Individuals with allergies often experience:

  • Itchy, watery eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Stopped-up ears

One very clear difference between allergies and other respiratory illnesses is the uncomfortable itching that the patient experiences, often in the eyes, throat, ears, and sinuses.

 

COVID-19

The symptom list for COVID-19 continues to evolve and develop, as it is a novel virus and has never before been seen in humans.  The list of symptoms for COVID-19 per the CDC are:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

If you think that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms, you should seek medical attention.  Before you visit your doctor or urgent care center, call ahead to let them know that you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are displaying signs.  They will advise you about how to proceed, which varies by geographic area.  Often the first step is a test to see if you are positive for the virus.

Wear a mask and also limit your exposure to other individuals if you will be seeking medical care for COVID-19, as you could infect them.  If you are positive for the virus but do not have severe symptoms, the medical facility may send you home to quarantine and treat yourself.  If you are having more severe symptoms, they may admit you to the hospital for additional treatment.

 

Limit Exposure

Because COVID-19 is a virus, it cannot be treated with antibiotics.  This means that the best way to stay safe and to keep your family members safe is to limit your exposure as much as possible, for as long as the pandemic lasts.

 

Stay Calm

One serious component of a pandemic is the mental health issues that it can trigger.  It’s important to stay calm and do your best to take care of yourself.  If you have psychiatric diagnoses, be sure to continue to see your mental health team and continue with therapy.  Don’t be afraid to seek either a drug or alcohol treatment program if you struggle with addiction.  If you’re feeling overly stressed and things aren’t making sense right now, know that you’re not alone.  Everyone is struggling through these tough times together.  Speak with a local or online professional about the issues that you’re experiencing, and know that they are there to help you get through this difficult time.

 




 

Author Bio: Patrick Bailey is a professional writer mainly in the fields of mental health, addiction, and living in recovery.  He attempts to stay on top of the latest news in the addiction and the mental health world and enjoy writing about these topics to break the stigma associated with them.

 

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