Coronavirus symptoms can include a runny nose, and so can hay fever. Dr Glenis revealed on ITV’s This Morning how to tell the difference between the two conditions.
As the spring sunshine beams down on the UK, tree pollen may have some hay fever sufferers feeling the effects of the condition.
Allergy UK comments on the common allergic reaction, explaining what causes it.
“It is caused when the body makes allergic antibodies (IgE) to certain substances, which are known as allergens,” says Allergy UK.
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Symptoms of hay fever are listed by the charity. One such symptom is itchy eyes or throat.
Another symptom is watering, red eyes – called allergic conjunctivitis.
Hay fever can also result in the sensation of mucus running down the back of the throat – known as nasal drip.
Additionally, sneezing, alongside a blocked or runny nose is also a common symptom of hay fever.
Moreover, symptoms of hay fever can include tiredness, headaches and shortness of breath.
A few symptoms of hay fever can be confused with coronavirus.
Dr Glenis highlighted how to tell the difference in symptoms between the two conditions.
Speaking on coronavirus, Dr Glenis said how “younger people may have something a bit like a cold”.
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Such symptoms can appear as a “stuffy or slightly runny nose”, which might be “confused with hay fever”.
Dr Glenis advised hay fever sufferers to “control their symptoms as well as possible”.
But she stressed: “Don’t go to your GP. The GP is overwhelmed.”
Instead, hay fever sufferers can seek over-the-counter treatment available in local pharmacies.
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Dr Glenis highly recommended the nasal spray, and to “use [treatment] everyday without fail – even when not showing symptoms”.
People in Japan have been noted as wearing badges telling others they are hay fever sufferers, and so their sneezes aren’t contagious.
However, Dr Glenis is very much against the idea being introduced into the UK.
She is concerned people who are asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) of coronavirus – who are indeed infected – who also have hay fever may unwittingly spread the disease.
As a precautionary measure, to help stop the spread of coronavirus, Dr Glenis urged people to control their hay fever symptoms.
Anybody showing signs of sneezing is recommended to stay at home, and to stay away from exercising in parks.
Any wet tissues should be binned immediately after use, and people need to wash their hands.
Be considerate – if you’re sneezing, you may have coronavirus, so get on top of hay fever treatment if necessary and stay indoors till symptoms disappear.
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