We might be learning to live with covid but for many hay fever sufferers they are still facing the same questions. For with a number of the coronavirus symptoms matching those of the annual allergy it can be hard to know which they have got.
And while the government is no longer ordering people in England to stay at home and self-isolate, it is still recommended that efforts are made to reduce the spread of the infection. This is backed by the health service.
The NHS website says: "While you’re no longer legally required to self-isolate if you have COVID-19, you should try to stay at home and away from others to avoid passing on the virus." But what about if you have hay fever and feel well enough to be out and about.
Now, to try and clear up the differences, the NHS has outlined what symptoms you should expect from each illness.
According to NHS Rotherham's Clinical Commissioning Group: "It can be really easy to mistake hay fever and some of the early symptoms of Covid-19, especially when we are all very aware, and being very careful. This list below will help you to spot the key differences between Hay fever and COVID-19
"If you often have hay fever, you will be familiar with the symptoms you usually get. If you notice a change to these or have specific symptoms of Covid-19, you MUST follow Government advice. If your symptoms continue or worsen, please seek advice from NHS 111 or your GP."
Common symptoms of hay fever:
Hay fever does not cause a high temperature. If you have any of the following, this is likely to be seasonal hay fever:
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sneezing and coughing
- Sore eyes
- Itchy throat, mouth, nose & ears
- Itchy, red, watering eyes
- Reduced sense of smell
- Pain around temples & forehead
- Headache
- Earache
- Feeling a bit tired
- If you have asthma, symptoms also include a tight feeling in the chest, shortness of breath and wheeze and cough
- Allergy symptoms will be milder and can change throughout the day as pollen levels can be higher in the afternoon or evening. Wet weather may give you mild symptoms
Symptoms of covid-19
If you have any of the following symptoms, then this is more likely to be symptoms of Covid-19:
- A high temperature - this means hot to touch on your chest or back
- A new persistent cough - this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.
- If you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual.
- Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Aches and pains
- Tiredness
- Diarrhoea
- Some people have reported nausea and a runny nose, but this is rare
If you experience symptoms that might mean you have coronavirus, follow Government advice. If symptoms continue or worsen, seek advice from NHS 111 or your GP.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea
