COVID-19 vs. Seasonal Allergies: How can you tell the difference?

Spring allergy season is in full bloom here in South Mississippi as evidenced by all the yellow pollen likely coating your vehicle right now.

Did you know allergy symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms have quite a few similarities? How can you tell the difference?

We put that question to a local doctor who specializes in allergy treatment. Dr. Mark Murray said, “There’s a lot of overlap, but COVID-19 symptoms tend to be more severe. Also, different from allergies, with COVID-19 symptoms there is a lot more sense of loss of taste and smell, which you wouldn’t expect with allergies. Fever would be a sign of infection, including COVID-19, which you wouldn’t expect with allergies, and then a lot of times, some worsening respiratory symptoms, worsening cough, shortness of breath, which are more common with COVID than they would be with allergies.”

Right now, tree pollen, such as oak and pine, and some early grasses are circulating out there causing allergy problems for many here in South Mississippi.