Symptoms often get confused when several diseases have common indicators.

Doctors treat symptoms, not causes of disease. Hence, it is critical to pay attention to your symptoms to receive the right treatment.

COVID-19, seasonal influenza, and allergies have similar and different symptoms. What if you have a fever, cough, sneezing, headache, and sore throat? Would you diagnose yourself as accurately as a medical professional?

COVID-19 Symptoms

Shortness of breath is a symptom unique to COVID-19 unless you have progressed to pneumonia. The frequent symptoms of COVID-19 are cough, fever, shortness of breath, and fatigue. You may also have chills, headaches, loss of taste and smell, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, and vomiting.

Most people can stay at home for two weeks and let the virus run its course. When in doubt, call your physician and determine if you should visit a hospital.

Older people with pre-existing conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, heart problems, etc.) require extra care. Anyone with extreme difficulty breathing should be of immediate concern – call you physician!

Seasonal Influenza Symptoms

The primary symptoms associated with seasonal influenza are fever, cough, muscle or body aches, headache, and fatigue. Sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, and diarrhea are not uncommon.
There are many duplicate symptoms between COVID-19 and seasonal influenza.

Common Cold Symptoms

The less common symptoms for seasonal influenza are found in the common cold – sneezing, stuffy or running nose, sore throat, cough, and chest discomfort. You may also experience fatigue and body aches. Cold symptoms respond well to decongestants. Rest and drinking fluids help immensely.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Allergies tend to bring on a runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes (mouth and skin also) and sneezing. Shortness of breath, wheezing, and fatigue might also be noticed.

I used to be allergic to something blooming in the spring. Dust, pollen, animal dander, and other factors should be noted if you are trying to identify an allergy. Allergy symptoms respond well to antihistamines

“Allergy symptoms tend to vary with the environment: worsening with exposure to dust, pollen, or animal dander, whereas cold symptoms tend to persist regardless of the time of day, weather, locality, or other environmental factors,”

Conclusion:

Regardless of what symptoms you have, the important one to take to heart is difficulty breathing or shortness of breath– seek professional help quickly. If symptoms cannot be treated with over the counter medicines and you are suffering for lack of sleep, your fatigue might be more related to your sleep deprivation. Let your physician know if you are having a problem sleeping.

You know your body. If you have had a cold, allergy, or influenza before, you will probably recognize the symptoms. With COVID-19 lurking around most corners, it is imperative to be vigilant of your symptoms and the people around you. Be extra careful when near the elderly.

Live Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com

 

 

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