Is It COVID-19 or Seasonal Allergies?

As allergy season gets underway, the pollen in the air may be causing you to experience nasal congestion, sneezing, or a runny nose. With the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be difficult to know if these symptoms are due to allergies or COVID-19. Read on to find out the difference between these conditions.

Symptom comparison between COVID-19 and seasonal allergies^1-3

Since both COVID-19 and seasonal allergies can cause similar symptoms, this chart can help you figure out which condition you are experiencing. If you’re not sure what’s causing your symptoms, you can always call your health care provider to ask.

Symptoms	COVID-19	Seasonal allergies
Fever	Common	No
Chills	Common	No
Cough	Common	No
Shortness of breath	Sometimes	No
Fatigue	Common	Sometimes
Muscle aches	Common	No
Nasal congestion	Rare	Common
Loss of smell or taste	Sometimes	Sometimes
Runny nose	Rare	Common
Sneezing	No	Common
Itchy eyes	Sometimes	Common
Headache	Common	Sometimes
Upset stomach (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)	Common	No

What causes COVID-19 and seasonal allergies?

COVID-19 is a virus that is spread through droplets that occur when an infected person breathes, coughs, talks, or sneezes. It can also live on surfaces, which means that if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes, you can get the virus.⁴

Seasonal allergies are caused by a response from your immune system to particles in the air such as pollen.⁵ Seasonal allergies are not contagious and do not spread from person-to-person. Seasonal allergies typically occur in the spring, as well as in the late summer and fall.⁵

What to do if you have seasonal allergies

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, here are some helpful tips:⁵

• Keep windows and doors shut at home during allergy season and use air conditioning instead to prevent outdoor pollen from getting inside
• Take a shower, wash your hair, and change your clothes after you’ve been outdoors
• Avoid any known triggers. Check the pollen counts in your area on a regular basis.
• Consider speaking to an allergist or getting an allergy test done to identify triggers
• Speak to one of our pharmacists about medications that may help relieve your allergy symptoms

You should also continue to take any prescribed medications to keep your allergies under control. If pollen allergies trigger asthma symptoms for you, make sure to follow your allergy treatment plan to prevent or manage your asthma episodes or attacks.⁶

What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or if you are unsure whether your symptoms are due to seasonal allergies or COVID-19, you should get tested for COVID-19 as directed by your local public health authority.⁴ Rexall offers rapid antigen COVID-19 testing at select locations, as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing if you meet your province’s eligibility criteria. Click here for more information.

It’s important to self-isolate at home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, even if they’re mild.⁷ This includes physically distancing from other household members, avoiding public settings and keeping your surroundings clean to prevent spreading the virus.⁷ Depending on the recommendations from your local public health authority, your household members may also need to self-isolate. ⁷

If your symptoms get worse, you should speak to your health care provider or local public health authority immediately and follow their instructions.⁷ Rexall has also partnered with Tia Health to provide a virtual care service for patients who need to speak to a doctor remotely by phone, video or secure messaging. Click here for more information.

If you have any severe COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., significant difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, new confusion), it’s important to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency medical services.⁴

Taking care of yourself and others

To protect yourself and others from getting COVID-19, you should:⁸

• get vaccinated against the virus, as well as receive any additional doses as recommended by your local public health authority
• clean your hands frequently with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, nose, or mouth
• avoid people who are sick or those who have been in contact with someone who is sick
• cover your mouth and nose with the bend of your arm or a tissue if you cough or sneeze
• avoid direct physical contact with others, particularly in closed spaces and crowded areas
• wear a medical mask or respirator in situations where you can’t maintain physical distancing. Non-medical masks can also help prevent the spread of COVID-19, but offer less protection.

Our pharmacists are always available if you have questions or need any resources. We also provide free prescription delivery if you are self-isolating at home. Find your nearest location here.