Fall Allergy Season Meets the Pandemic

This time of year can be a challenge for allergy sufferers as ragweed, mold and other irritants fill the air. Of course, the fall allergy season this year, as the environmental testing pros at AirMD point out, will be more challenging than most.

Have you been out at the grocery store and looked askance at someone who sneezed? No one can blame you for wondering and worrying about the army of respiratory droplets infected with Covid-19 that might have just been released into the air.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, on the other hand, you might have been the person getting all the dirty looks when you sniffle or sneeze. Maybe you’ve even wondered if your symptoms are attributable to something other than your usual fall allergies.

Are your allergies acting up – or is it something else?

The Allergy and Asthma Network offers advice on how to tell the difference between allergies and Covid-19. “Some COVID-19 and fall allergy symptoms overlap, such as cough and shortness of breath,” they say. “But a primary symptom of COVID-19 is a fever of 100.4 or higher. Fever is not a symptom of allergies.”

If you are suffering from a tightness in your chest, a cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, your symptoms could be attributable to fall allergies, Covid-19 or the flu.

If you are suffering from seasonal allergies, you may also experience the following symptoms:

• Sniffling and sneezing
• Itchy nose
• Sinus congestion
• Scratchy throat
• Red, itchy, irritated eyes

Likewise, there are particular symptoms – like a loss of taste and/or smell – that will indicate that you have Covid-19. If you are in doubt, see your doctor or arrange to have a covid-19 test.

Common triggers for fall allergies include ragweed and mold. If you notice your symptoms are better or worse in particular settings, that might also be a clue as to the cause of your symptoms.

And, if you notice that your symptoms flare up when you are at home or work, you may be interested in the allergy testing services, mold inspections or other environmental testing services offered by AirMD. Call us at 888-462-4763 for more information.