Allergy season has kicked in earlier than usual this year, making it harder for parents to tell routine seasonal allergies from COVID-19. While COVID-19 may be alarming, this type of coronavirus may have symptoms strikingly similar to influenza viruses and allergies. To treat the condition effectively, parents need to know how to tell one from the other.
How can you be sure that your child has an allergic reaction or COVID-19? While the symptoms may be similar, there are key differences that will help parents know what they are dealing with. This blog post will help you understand how to identify what your child has so you can respond appropriately.
Seasonal Allergies or COVID-19? How to Know the Difference
Many Canadians suffer from seasonal allergies and may sometimes get alarmed, thinking that they have contracted COVID-19. This may be exceptionally true for parents who constantly worry about their children. Here is how you can tell what medical condition they have.
Differences in Symptoms
The key to being able to properly tell what your child has is listening to their symptoms. Although they may have some common ground in terms of symptoms, there are distinct differences as well.
1 - More Widespread Response for COVID-19 and Flu
The symptoms for COVID-19 have a more widespread response, unlike those of allergies that tend to be more concentrated in one area. A child with flu or COVID-19 may experience high fevers, body aches, weakness and respiratory symptoms. On the other hand, a child with seasonal allergies will have symptoms that center around the nose, eyes, and throat.
2 - Allergies Cause Itchiness
The main symptom of an allergy is the sometimes unbearable itch that accompanies seasonal allergies. If your children complain of itchy eyes, a tickle in their throat or itchy skin, it may mean that they have an allergic reaction to something.
3 - COVID-19 Will Not Cause Sneezing
All the itchiness that comes with allergies may also cause a person to sneeze excessively. The COVID-19 will never cause sneezing.
Managing Seasonal Allergies at Home
There are many remedies available to treat seasonal allergies. You may have your children take antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, inhaled corticosteroids, or have them use an inhaler if they have asthma. Their symptoms should clear up if they were indeed caused by allergies or asthma.
What If Symptoms Do Not Clear Up?
If you are concerned that your child has COVID-19, especially if you are travelling, visit your doctor. You may need to get a set of immigration vaccines for travel from a travel vaccinations site in Edmonton. COVID-19 vaccines are high up on the list of required vaccinations for travel, so you may want to see your doctor about this before leaving.
Conclusion
Your best bet in terms of protecting your family from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. At the time of this writing, research is underway to look into the safety of children getting vaccinated for COVID-19. At the moment, the vaccine is being distributed to adults. Getting a COVID-19 shot will help keep the virus away from your and your children.
If you are looking for a reliable pharmacy in Edmonton, come to Heritage IDA Pharmacy. We are dedicated to providing up-to-date advice and health care knowledge coupled with personalized care. We emphasize providing the best possible pharmacy care to meet your family’s health and wellness needs.