March 7, 2023
By Lisa Ryan; Medical review by Nathalie May, MD
You’re sniffling, your throat is scratchy, and your nose feels congested. Maybe it’s seasonal allergies, or maybe it’s COVID-19 – but how can you tell the difference?
If you have seasonal allergy symptoms, their cause may be due to allergens, like pollen in the air. COVID-19 is a viral illness that is spread from person to person.
Even though allergies and COVID-19 have different causes, they share some symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Loss of sense of smell
It is important to remember that COVID-19 will usually cause symptoms that allergies do not:
- Fever
- Body-wide aches
- Fatigue (overwhelming tiredness)
If you think you have COVID-19
If you think you have COVID-19, you can take an at-home test or get one at a community site, pharmacy or doctor’s office. Order four free COVID-19 tests here.
COVID-19 testing is available through the City of Philadelphia, as well as the Drexel HOPE mobile medical unit and Drexel University’s Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships.
Until you test negative for COVID-19, stay home and away from other people if you can. If you must go out, wear a mask, do your best to stay six feet away from others, and wash your hands often.
You can still get vaccinated for COVID-19
An updated COVID-19 vaccine is now available, and it is bivalent, meaning that it protects against both the original version of COVID-19 that began spreading in 2020 and some newer versions. Previous COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters were made only to protect against the original strain of the virus.
As COVID-19 changes, you are more protected from getting it or from becoming dangerously ill if you have received the newest vaccine.
You can get the updated vaccine (also called a booster) if you have received both of your original COVID-19 vaccine doses. The booster will be effective whether or not you have had other COVID-19 boosters.
The CDC says that getting a vaccination even if you have already had COVID-19 helps boost your immunity. If you recently had COVID-19, waiting for a month or two after you are fully recovered to get a primary or booster vaccination can make the vaccine more effective, according to experts.
You can avoid seasonal allergy triggers
Awareness is the key to avoiding allergy symptoms. When you know which things will cause symptoms (e.g., pets, pollen, grass, dust, mold) you can avoid them or lessen your exposure.
You can reduce your exposure to some allergens by:
- Keeping windows closed to avoid having the pollen settle inside your home.
- Using an air conditioner or HEPA air filter.
- Drying your clothes indoors instead of outside on a clothesline to avoid the pollen settling on your clothes.
- Cleaning the house as often as you can, being careful to remove dust mites and mold.
Some medications available at the pharmacy without a prescription (“over-the-counter”) can be effective in relieving significant allergic symptoms. Over-the-counter medications for allergies may include:
- Antihistamines. These can be taken by mouth, or as eyedrops. Examples include Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra. If you are over 65, you should check with your doctor before using antihistamines, even if they are over-the-counter.
- Decongestants. If you have high blood pressure, speak with your doctor before taking a decongestant since decongestants can raise your blood pressure.
- Nasal sprays. Examples include Flonase and Nasonex, which are now available over-the-counter.
Not all medications are right for all people, so you should work with your doctor to figure out the most effective and safest medication for you. Since over-the-counter medications can interact with prescription medications, it is always a good idea to check with your pharmacist or your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications.