News

illustration of tissue box

So You Have the Sniffles. Is it COVID-19 or Allergies?

It certainly isn’t convenient that the COVID-19 pandemic has overlapped with seasonal allergies. The annual cough and sneeze may now seem more concerning.

So how do you determine if your sniffles are COVID-19-related or just seasonal allergies?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) list the most common COVID-19 symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue

Other symptoms may include:

  • Aches
  • Nasal congestion or runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Loss of the sense of taste or smell

When it comes to allergies, patients are more likely to experience the following symptoms:

  • Itchy eyes
  • Itchy nose
  • Sneezing
  • Runny congested nose
  • Sore throat or cough associated with post-nasal drip

 

Read UnitedHealthcare’s “Allergies or COVID-19? Get Help Deciphering Your Symptoms” for more information on the hallmark symptoms of each condition.