Is It an Allergy or Is It COVID?
Chances are, in the past two years, you’ve woken up at least one morning with a scratchy throat and clogged sinuses, and your first thought was: Is it an allergy? Or is it COVID? The frustration with this ambiguity lies in the completely disproportionate number of stakes in each scenario. A positive COVID-19 test will ruin your week (or more) and potentially affect everyone you’ve spent time with in person; an allergy case probably just means some discomfort.
Both scenarios also seem equally possible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 60 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. On top of that, an estimated 81.5 million Americans have tested positive for COVID-19 ( though experts believe the true number is much higher ).
That’s why the CDC created this handy little comparison chart to help you gauge whether what you’re experiencing is a common seasonal allergy or a case of COVID-19.
Overlapping symptoms of COVID and seasonal allergies
The CDC tells us that there are quite a few common symptoms between allergies and COVID: cough, headaches, fatigue, sore throat, sneezing, and a runny or stuffy nose. If you experience any of these symptoms, a positive COVID test result is not ruled out but is by no means a guarantee. If you experience these symptoms, get tested for COVID, but you do n’t have to cancel your weekend plans just yet.
Symptoms specific to COVID and symptoms specific to allergies
The CDC says there are four main symptoms specific to COVID that you wo n’t experience with allergies: fever or chills, body aches, loss of taste or smell, and shortness of breath. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you probably can’t chalk it up to an allergy. Get tested for COVID and get ready to squat.
On the other hand, there is one main allergy -specific symptom that you won’t have with COVID: itching or watery eyes. If you’re experiencing this, it certainly won’t hurt you to get tested for COVID, it’s unlikely to be the cause.
How to get free COVID-19 tests
Since the symptoms are very similar, it doesn’t hurt to have some COVID tests at home. As a reminder, each household in the United States can request up to eight free COVID tests from the US government. Here’s how to claim your share .
In addition, the White House is requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of several additional home tests for COVID-19:
Beginning January 15, 2022, individuals with private health insurance or a group health plan who purchase an over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic test that is authorized, approved, or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be able to cover these test costs with your plan or insurance. Insurance companies and health plans are required to cover 8 free OTC home tests per insured person per month.