The coronavirus, colds, flu and other viruses are spreading at the same time that some people are having seasonal allergies. Learn more about the overlapping symptoms along with information you can share with patients.
This article was originally published on the Brigham Health Hub.
What are symptoms of COVID-19 and similar conditions?
“It’s important not to necessarily discount symptoms, even if they’re mild,” said Daniel Solomon, MD, an infectious disease doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “It may still be important to get tested for COVID-19 so that we can give thoughtful guidance about quarantine, isolation and contact tracing in order to keep everyone around us safe.”
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of the illnesses below.
What should you do if you’re sick?
“The overlap is the real challenge here because you can have any number of symptoms that could be COVID,” said Dr. Solomon. “But it could also be seasonal allergies or it could be other circulating respiratory viruses.”
Even if you have mild symptoms, speak with your health care provider.
“We know right now that the common cold rhinovirus is still circulating in our community and seasonal allergy season is picking up, so people are coming down with a runny nose and a sore throat,” added Solomon.
“But since COVID is still spreading in our community, these symptoms could also be COVID, and we won’t know without a diagnostic test. If you have symptoms, it’s important to speak with a health care provider who can help decide whether you should get tested for COVID. If a test is warranted, they can place an order that allows you to get tested without coming into a health care setting and putting others at risk. That’s usually a drive-thru test and it’s convenient.”
Read the original article on the Brigham Health Hub, written by Daniel A. Solomon, MD and infectious disease specialist.