Other symptoms may be more telling than a cough
Anallergycough and aCOVID-19cough can be similar.
This makes it difficult to tell which condition you have just based on cough alone.
It is also possible to have allergies and COVID-19 at the same time.
Allergy Cough
An allergy cough is a persistent cough that typically lasts longer than three weeks.
It is usually dry and does not produce a lot of mucus.
If you have asthma in addition to allergies, your coughing may be accompanied by breathing problems, includingwheezing.
COVID-19 Cough
Like an allergy cough, the cough associated with COVID-19 is usually dry.
However, the symptoms that may accompany your cough in the case of a COVID-19 infection are different.
These droplets are typically expelled by an infected person through coughing or sneezing.
Anyone who inhales these droplets is susceptible to COVID-19.
Long COVIDis a condition in which a COVID-19 infection causes chronic symptoms.
These symptoms may include cough, chronic fatigue, cognitive issues, shortness of breath, and pain.
Diagnosis
Typical seasonal allergy symptoms are often easy to identify.
For example, the same symptoms start up every year when the trees begin to bloom.
For COVID-19, home tests are available that can help you know if you are infected.
you might also receive a COVID-19 diagnosis from a healthcare provider.
Allergies
Your primary care doctor can usually diagnose allergies based on your history and presenting symptoms.
They will review your medical history and your symptoms and perform a physical examination.
COVID-19
There are various tests that can detect COVID-19, including home tests.
Identifying your allergy triggers and avoiding these substances is an important part of treating an allergy cough.
This can desensitize your immune system to your allergy trigger.
Immunotherapy is not available for every pop in of allergy.
You should also get plenty of rest and drink fluids.
The best way to prevent allergy symptoms, including a cough, is to identify and avoid allergy triggers.
It’s also important to develop a treatment plan with your healthcare provider and stick to that plan.
These include loss of taste and smell, fever, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting.
COVID-19 patients commonly experience headaches.In some cases they may feel similar to sinus headaches.
If you are experiencing a lot of congestion, it may even be possible to developsinusitissecondary to COVID-19.
Seasonal allergies do not typically cause a fever.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed.
As new research becomes available, well update this article.
For the latest on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
America College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Allergy symptoms: cough.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.
2021;9(5):533-544. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00125-9
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy diagnosis.
Food and Drug Administration.In vitro diagnostics EUAs for COVID-19.
Food and Drug Administration.Know your treatment options for COVID-19.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to protect yourself and others.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when youre sick.
