Is it a Cold? Is it Seasonal Allergies? Is it COVID 19? How to Tell The Difference!

It’s Spring time 2020 and typically most people during this time of the year worry about having seasonal allergy or cold symptoms. However with the current COVID 19 pandemic going around the world, many people are worried about catching the viral infection. This life threatening virus has similar symptoms as the flu, cold, or allergy such as nose drips, coughs, sneezing, throat tickle, etc.. but how can you tell if you have a cold, seasonal allergies, the flu, or COVID 19? Listed below are some of the symptoms and the key differences and what you should do if you have these symptoms (note: These suggestions and descriptions are from Harvard Medical School, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology).

COVID 19 Symptoms (Symptoms can appear within 5 days after exposure but can take up to 14 days):

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of Breath
• Fatigue
• Loss of Appetite
• Lack of taste or smell
• Less common: diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea

What should I do if I have it? Please contact your doctor or your local board of health to seek further testing and treatment. Make sure there is testing available at your medical facility.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms (It’s spring time with flowers and trees blooming which means that pollen count will be high):

• Two indicators that you have seasonal allergies are if you have a history of having springtime allergies and if ‘itching’ is prominent of your symptoms
• Itchy eyes
• Itchy nose
• Sneezing
• Runny and/ or congested nose
• Sore throat
• Coughing (mostly due to post nasal drip)

What should I do if I have it? You can consult with your doctor but for the most part over the counter medication antihistamines usually help. Prescription medications from medical doctors for allergy can help. Also, Fast Relief Acupuncture offers a very safe, natural, and effective method of relieving allergy symptoms. Click here for more information on how acupuncture can help.

Common Cold Symptoms:

• Runny nose
• Congested nose
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Feeling ‘unwell’
• Coughing
• Comes on gradually

What should I do if I have it?: Usually taking over the counter medications can help control and relieve symptoms. These symptoms would resolve within 1 to 2 weeks of the onset of the symptoms.

Flu Symptoms:

• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle aches
• Exhaustion
• Comes on sudden
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Headache

What should I do if I have it? Flu is usually diagnosed on a swab test by a healthcare provider. Flu vaccine is also part of the prevention of getting the flu. Prescribed medications can help limit the symptoms of flu. Flu symptoms usually last for 1 week.

For more information:

**Click here for a chart of the differences of the different symptoms of COVID 19, cold, flu and seasonal allergies.**

**Click here for the article from Harvard Medical School. **

Fast Relief Acupuncture is dedicated to guiding you through these challenging times. We pride ourselves in introducing, educating, and offering a safe and natural way to help improve your body’s overall function. We look forward to getting you on the road to complete recovery!