recognize the differences

It is important to know how to differentiate when we are faced with an allergy, cold, flu or coronavirus infection, since all three have common symptoms, which are not easy to distinguish and can lead us into error.

In the case of allergy, the symptoms and signs are:

1. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by nasal itching (sometimes in the eyes), frequent sneezing, watery runny nose, and nasal congestion.
2. Allergy symptoms disappear when we stop being in contact with the allergen. This is clearly seen in the case of pollen allergy, the symptoms appear when being outdoors and improve markedly when we stay indoors.
3. The symptoms of rhinitis usually subside with the taking of antihistamines.
4. It is not accompanied by fever except when complicated by acute sinusitis.
5. In cases where asthma occurs, dry cough and shortness of breath are common with COVID-19, but in this case there will be no fever either. Also, these symptoms usually go away when rescue medication is used.

In the case of cold or cold, instead:

1. The symptoms, at first, are like those of rhinitis and as the days go by they evolve making the mucus thicker and change to a yellow-green color.
2. It resolves in about a week.
3. It does not usually produce a high fever and may be accompanied by a slight general malaise.

The flu causes:

1. At a sudden onset of symptoms
2. Fever that can go from moderate to intense with chills, although it does not appear in all cases.
3. Sometimes nasal congestion may appear
4. Sore throat
5. General malaise with muscle pain and/or headache.
6. Fatigue or tiredness.
7. Cough, usually dry, although it is sometimes associated with phlegm.
8. Trouble breathing.

And finally, COVID-19 will have some symptoms or others depending on the severity, the main symptoms being

1. Fever
2. Cough
3. Trouble breathing

It can also be accompanied by:

1. Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
2. Loss of the senses of taste and smell.
3. Respiratory insufficiency

If you don't feel well, it is important to contact your nearest health center and talk to a specialist doctor for guidance. In the current situation, it is very important to follow the recommendations of official institutions, not to fall into self-diagnosis and maintain safety precautions.

If you have more questions, write to us through the channels of the #CONSCIOUSNESS support line and our respiratory physiotherapists will assist you.

Bibliography

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

https://espanol.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm