Allergies, Flu, Cold, or COVID-19

Shot of a young man and woman blowing their noses with tissue at home

Do you know the difference?

Pollen during this time is common and may cause several symptoms that look very similar to cold, flu, and even COVID-19. Allergies often cause nasal symptoms such as a runny nose and sinus congestion but do not usually result in a fever, as is found with coronavirus or the flu. While some symptoms of the coronavirus overlap with allergies, there are several differences.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS?

According to the CDC, reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

Coronavirus is spread through coughing, sneezing, and close personal contact. We recommend following the CDC guidelines and those of your local health department to prevent the spread of the virus.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIES?

Symptoms of seasonal allergies range from mild to severe and occur seasonally. The most common include:

sneezing
runny or stuffy nose
watery and itchy eyes
itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals
ear congestion
postnasal drainage

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE FLU?

Fever
Coughs
Headaches
Sore Throat
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Runny or stuffy nose

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A COLD?

Cough
Sneezing
Headaches
Sore Throat
Watery eyes
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches

If you experience mild fever or cough, please stay home and call your PCP. If you experience severe pain, shortness of breath, or chest pain, you need to seek emergency care. We are here for you 24/7/365.