

Use the chart below to identify their commonalities and distinctions, according to experts. “When the weather goes back and forth-as it often does in the spring-it can cause nasal obstruction, sinus pressure and sinus pain.” This reaction can also occur with COVID-19, he adds, but the similarities between allergies and the COVID-19 virus don’t end there-tiredness and muscle aches are common with both as well.įortunately, there are still symptoms that set them apart. “The main overlapping symptom between allergies and omicron is nasal congestion,” he says. However, allergies also affect the respiratory system and can cause coughing, a sore throat and runny nose, explains Shawn Nasseri, M.D., a Harvard Medical School-trained ear, nose and throat surgeon in Beverly, Hills, California. Because of this path of transmission, many symptoms of COVID-19 affect the respiratory system, which can lead to coughing, a sore throat and a runny nose.
CORONA VIRUS SYMPTOMS VS ALLERGIES HOW TO
Is It Allergies Or COVID-19? Here’s How To Know, According To ExpertsĬOVID-19 is an upper respiratory virus primarily spread through cough, sneeze or breath droplets, says Edward Mitre, M.D., an infectious disease doctor and professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland. While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site.
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“One difference is sinusitis tends to take longer, around 10 days, to develop into a bacterial infection, while COVID-19 will come on more quickly.The Forbes Health editorial team is independent and objective. “During those months, people spend more time inside with allergens,” Melinda said. The trapped mucus can allow bacteria to grow, which leads to an infection, Cooling said.Īlthough you can get sinusitis year around, it tends to accompany the cold and influenza seasons during the fall and winter months. COVID-19Ī sinus infection, or sinusitis, occurs when the air-filled pockets in the face, called sinuses, fill up with fluid, inflaming the sinus lining and preventing them from draining.

“While both can cause fever, headache, nasal congestion and sore throat, there are some differences between the two,” said Melinda Cooling, vice president of Advanced Practice for OSF HealthCare and chief clinician executive for OSF OnCall. These issues are compounded when we spend long hours indoors due to the weather or quarantines. Overlapping symptoms can make it difficult to determine if you have a sinus infection (sinusitis) or COVID-19.
