Is it COVID-19, allergies, or post-vaccine symptoms? How to tell the difference

With spring formally upon us and the coronavirus lingering, it may be difficult to inform the distinction between seasonal allergic reactions, a coronavirus an infection, and unintended effects post-vaccination.

“It may be troublesome to distinguish allergic reactions from an infection from COVID, particularly when each may be prevalent on the identical time of the yr,” Dr. Fred Davis, an emergency division doctor at Northwell Well being Lengthy Island Jewish medical middle on Lengthy Island, N.Y., beforehand instructed Fox Information.

There are some key variations between the three, nonetheless, that may make telling them aside a bit simpler. 

“I all the time ask about itchiness and fever that are huge differentiators. Allergy symptoms don’t normally give fever however they do make you are feeling itchy and scratchy,” Dr. John Whyte, the chief medical officer of the well being care web site WebMD, instructed Fox Information of 1 key distinction between a coronavirus an infection and spring allergic reactions. 

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The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) additionally makes distinctions between allergic reactions and coronavirus signs as properly. Whereas signs of each can embody cough, shortness of breath or problem respiration, fatigue, headache, sore throat and congestion or a runny nostril, signs corresponding to fever and chills, muscle and physique aches, a brand new lack of style or scent, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea are extra widespread with a COVID-19 an infection, per the CDC. 

“Viral infections usually provide you with chills or fever and make you very drained. Allergy symptoms do not usually make you very drained,” Whyte added. “Allergy symptoms do not make you in need of breath or provide you with diarrhea the place COVID can.” 

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As for post-vaccination signs, “unintended effects usually are a ache within the arm, fatigue, and typically headache,” stated Whyte. “It is all about timing; they happen usually 4 hours or so after vaccination and resolve inside 24-36 hours,” he continued, noting that allergic reactions and signs associated to a coronavirus an infection don’t resolve that shortly.

Total, if you’re uncertain and are involved you’ll have been contaminated by COVID-19, it is strongly recommended to get examined and observe CDC tips to keep away from the unfold of the illness, per the federal company.

Those that obtain the vaccine and expertise a worsening redness or tenderness the place they had been injected after 24 hours, in addition to these whose unintended effects are worrying or don’t appear to be going away after just a few days, ought to contact their physician or well being care supplier, the CDC recommends.