Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsComparisonsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Comparisons
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Characteristics of Allergy Cough vs. COVID Cough
It is also possible to have allergies and COVID-19 at the same time. When this happens, you may have classic allergy symptoms like itchy eyes along with COVID-19 symptoms like fever and loss of taste and smell.
Allergy Cough
An allergy cough is a persistent cough that typically lasts longer than three weeks. It is usually dry and does not produce a lot of mucus.
Asthma and Allergies
COVID-19 Cough
Like an allergy cough, the cough associated with COVID-19 is usually dry. However, the symptoms that may accompany your cough in the case of a COVID-19 infection are different.
If you have COVID-19, you may have some of the following symptoms in addition to your cough:
Long COVIDis a condition in which a COVID-19 infection causes chronic symptoms. These symptoms may include cough, chronic fatigue, cognitive issues, shortness of breath, and pain.
Cold vs. Allergies: Similar but Fundamentally Different Symptoms
Typical seasonal allergy symptoms are often easy to identify. For example, the same symptoms start up every year when the trees begin to bloom. If you’re not sure if you have allergies, however, you can get a diagnosis from a healthcare provider.
For COVID-19, home tests are available that can help you know if you are infected. You can also receive a COVID-19 diagnosis from a healthcare provider.
Allergies
Your primary care doctor can usually diagnose allergies based on your history and presenting symptoms. If they are unable to determine the source of the allergies, or you are not responding to the treatment, you may be referred to an allergy specialist (allergist).
They will review your medical history and your symptoms and perform a physical examination. If your symptoms are severe and you are not responding to prescription medications, your physician may orderone or more tests, such as a skin prick test, an intradermal test, or blood tests to determine the source of the allergy.
The Difference Between Blood Tests and Skin Tests for Allergies
COVID-19
There are various tests that can detect COVID-19, including home tests. Some are designed to detect a current (active) infection, while blood tests that look for antibodies can identify a previous infection with the virus.
The main types of tests available to detect COVID-19 include:
It’s essential that you receive a proper diagnosis prior to undergoing treatment for an allergy cough or COVID-19-related cough.
While remedies to relieve symptoms, such as cough drops, may be similar for an allergy cough or a COVID-19 cough, the underlying cause of these conditions is very different, and there is almost no overlap when it comes to the treatment of the root cause.
Identifying your allergy triggers and avoiding these substances is an important part of treating an allergy cough.
Allergies are typically treated with medications, including:
If you do not respond to prescription-strength medications, your physician may recommendallergy shots, a form of immunotherapy that presents the only potential cure for allergies. Immunotherapy involves small injections or sublingual (under the tongue) administration of the allergen (the substance you are allergic to) over a period of time. This can desensitize your immune system to your allergy trigger. Immunotherapy is not available for every type of allergy.
If you do not have other symptoms of COVID-19, or if your symptoms are very mild, you may be instructed to self-isolate and use over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), to manage your symptoms. You should also get plenty of rest and drink fluids.
The treatment options for COVID-19 infections in individuals with a higher likelihood of severe infection or complications are evolving and depend on your circumstances. Treatment options include, but are not limited to:
Allergies and COVID-19 can both be prevented, though in very different ways. Because COVID-19 is very contagious, it is also important to be aware that protecting yourself will also protect others.
The best way to prevent allergy symptoms, including a cough, is to identify and avoid allergy triggers. Allergy testing can identify the substance that is responsible for your cough and steps can be taken to avoid that substance.
For example, if you are allergic to pollen, monitor the pollen counts in your area and avoid going outside as much as possible during the times when counts are high. If you are allergic to dust, take care to rid the dust in your home, particularly in the room where you sleep.
It’s also important to develop a treatment plan with your healthcare provider and stick to that plan.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you:
If you have a fever or other symptoms, the CDC recommends that you self-isolate until your symptoms improve for 24 hours, without taking any fever-reducing medications. After that, you may resume regular activities but take precautions with masking in public for the next 5 days.
Summary
While both allergies and COVID-19 may cause a dry cough, many of the other symptoms associated with these conditions differ and can serve as an indication for which condition you have. Individuals who suffer from allergies have usually had symptoms in the past and know what to expect, while symptoms of COVID-19 will feel different and new.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhile seasonal allergies and COVID-19 share some symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, and congestion, there are certain symptoms of COVID-19 that you would not expect to experience with seasonal allergies. These include loss of taste and smell, fever, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting.COVID-19 patients commonly experience headaches.In some cases they may feel similar to sinus headaches. If you are experiencing a lot of congestion, it may even be possible to developsinusitissecondary to COVID-19.Seasonal allergies do not typically cause a fever.
While seasonal allergies and COVID-19 share some symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, and congestion, there are certain symptoms of COVID-19 that you would not expect to experience with seasonal allergies. These include loss of taste and smell, fever, diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting.
COVID-19 patients commonly experience headaches.In some cases they may feel similar to sinus headaches. If you are experiencing a lot of congestion, it may even be possible to developsinusitissecondary to COVID-19.
Seasonal allergies do not typically cause a fever.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed. As new research becomes available, we’ll update this article. For the latest on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.America College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Allergy symptoms: cough.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.Song W-J, Hui CKM, Hull JH, et al.Confronting Covid-19 associated cough and the post-Covid syndrome: role of viral neurotropism, neuroinflammation, and neuroimmune responses.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2021;9(5):533-544. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00125-9Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy diagnosis.Food and Drug Administration.In vitro diagnostics EUAs for COVID-19.Food and Drug Administration.Know your treatment options for COVID-19.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to protect yourself and others.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.Togha M, Hashemi SM, Yamani N, Martami F, Salami Z.A review on headaches due to COVID-19 infection.Front Neurol. 2022;13:942956. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.942956
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.America College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Allergy symptoms: cough.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.Song W-J, Hui CKM, Hull JH, et al.Confronting Covid-19 associated cough and the post-Covid syndrome: role of viral neurotropism, neuroinflammation, and neuroimmune responses.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2021;9(5):533-544. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00125-9Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy diagnosis.Food and Drug Administration.In vitro diagnostics EUAs for COVID-19.Food and Drug Administration.Know your treatment options for COVID-19.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to protect yourself and others.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.Togha M, Hashemi SM, Yamani N, Martami F, Salami Z.A review on headaches due to COVID-19 infection.Front Neurol. 2022;13:942956. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.942956
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
America College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Allergy symptoms: cough.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.Song W-J, Hui CKM, Hull JH, et al.Confronting Covid-19 associated cough and the post-Covid syndrome: role of viral neurotropism, neuroinflammation, and neuroimmune responses.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2021;9(5):533-544. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00125-9Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy diagnosis.Food and Drug Administration.In vitro diagnostics EUAs for COVID-19.Food and Drug Administration.Know your treatment options for COVID-19.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to protect yourself and others.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.Togha M, Hashemi SM, Yamani N, Martami F, Salami Z.A review on headaches due to COVID-19 infection.Front Neurol. 2022;13:942956. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.942956
America College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Allergy symptoms: cough.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.
Song W-J, Hui CKM, Hull JH, et al.Confronting Covid-19 associated cough and the post-Covid syndrome: role of viral neurotropism, neuroinflammation, and neuroimmune responses.The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2021;9(5):533-544. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00125-9
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy diagnosis.
Food and Drug Administration.In vitro diagnostics EUAs for COVID-19.
Food and Drug Administration.Know your treatment options for COVID-19.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to protect yourself and others.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.
Togha M, Hashemi SM, Yamani N, Martami F, Salami Z.A review on headaches due to COVID-19 infection.Front Neurol. 2022;13:942956. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.942956
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