Due do some overlap in symptoms it could be difficult to know if you have hay fever or coronavirus
Key symptoms can help tell apart a Covid infection from hay fever, despite some similarities in how they present. This year, millions of people in the UK have been tormented by the aggravating symptoms of hay fever, coinciding with “very high” pollen counts reported by the Met Office in certain regions.
Hay fever is an allergic response to airborne substances, predominantly pollen, leading to sneezing, nasal congestion, headaches, and sometimes even loss of smell. These symptoms are also common to COVID-19.
Doctor Luke Powles, associate clinical director at Bupa, explained: “Despite hay fever being more common during the spring and summer, some people are affected by pollen from March to September. This can make it harder to tell if sniffs and sneezes are being caused by an allergy or an infection such as coronavirus.”
The relevance of this distinction has grown with the emergence of a new Covid strain known as NB. 1.8.1 (or Nimbus), which is making its way through the UK. According to recent figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there’s been a near 10 per cent uptick in Covid-related hospital admissions, with 947 patients admitted in the week concluding on May 31.
However, differentiating hay fever from Covid is possible. The principal indicator to watch for is a high temperature, indicative of coronavirus but not associated with hay fever.
The NHS advises that this means “you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)”. It may also lead to chills.
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Dr Powles has clarified that it is “not likely” for you to experience a raised temperature as a result of hay fever. He said: “Although a blocked nose due to hay fever can affect your smell or taste, completely losing your ability to taste or smell is more likely to result from coronavirus.”
Additionally, Covid tends to make people feel more unwell overall. “Hay fever symptoms aren’t usually serious and, generally, you won’t feel too ill,” he added.
In contrast, Covid can be severe in certain instances and its symptoms may persist for weeks, months, or even years in the case of long Covid. The NHS notes: “The symptoms [of Covid] are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.
“Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover.” Covid is also known to cause gastrointestinal issues, which are not associated with hay fever.
These symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. If you suspect you have contracted Covid, the advice is to self-isolate and avoid contact with others if you or your child exhibit symptoms and either:
- Have a high temperature
- Do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or carry out your normal activities.
According to the NHS, you can resume your “normal activities” once you feel better or no longer have a high temperature.
Typical hay fever symptoms consist of:
- Sneezing and coughing
- A runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- Loss of smell
- Pain around your temples and forehead
- Headache
- Fatigue
Symptoms of Covid can encompass:
- A high temperature or experiencing chills – this implies feeling hot to the touch on your chest or back (there’s no need to take your temperature)
- A new, persistent cough – this refers to coughing excessively for over an hour, or having three or more bouts of coughing within 24 hours
- A loss or alteration in your sense of smell or taste
- Breathlessness
- Feeling fatigued or worn out
- Bodily aches
- A headache
- A sore throat
- A congested or runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling nauseous or vomiting