How to know if your symptoms are COVID-19 or allergies
Catherine Hawley reports
TAMPA, Florida – Runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing – the bad signs of the allergy season here in the State of the Sun. Local doctors say pollen levels are peaking in the coming weeks.
This always happens at this time of year, as pollen from trees covers our area.
“We have one of the worst seasons anywhere in the world because we have so many oaks and so many cypress trees,” said Dr. Richard F. Lockey, director of the USF’s Allergy and Immunology Division.
Lockey says that normally the 11 different oak species in the region lose their leaves and start to bloom at different times, but the cold winter has changed that timeline.
“So what happened is that the season was delayed and, in the process, we have a lot more trees blooming at the same time, so the pollen counts are huge now,” he said.
Pollen.com’s allergy forecast shows extremely high levels for the rest of the week in Tampa, hovering around 11 on a scale with a maximum of 12.
All of these pollen particles and dust are blowing in the air, leaving you congested and panting.
“Anyone with a spring allergy will have symptoms, I don’t care who they are,” Lockey warned.
Most people who suffer from seasonal allergies can recognize familiar symptoms when they start. However, for some people, it can be difficult to decipher whether it is pollen or coronavirus that is causing their discomfort. There are some overlapping symptoms between the two and some important differences.
“COVID-19 will give you more symptoms than sneezing and itchy nose and eyes,” explained Lockey. “It will give you fever, chills, aches and pains, a cough. With COVID-19 it will be limited, with an allergic problem it will continue week after week after week.”
With that in mind, Lockey recommends that any concerned person get tested for viruses. While allergy sufferers should stay at home and stock up on over-the-counter drugs, or prescription drugs and inhalers.
“People shouldn’t suffer from these problems at all, and if you need to see a doctor, you should see a doctor,” he said.
Fortunately, the pollen is expected to disappear in about four weeks.
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