Coronavirus: Allergy, vaccine side-effects or COVID symptoms? How to tell the difference

More than a year after the pandemic's peak, cases continue to surge in a staggering manner, hampering vaccination drives as well. Some, who have received one (or full) doses of the vaccine are testing positive. For some, post-vaccination side-effects present similar to that of a COVID infection.

What's puzzling is that the surge in cases is being recorded during the spring season, infamous for the rise in allergies and pollen fever, where symptoms could again be similar to that of COVID.

Even though the spike in cases is very concerning right now and has led to restrictions, some people can also go misdiagnosed right now because of the apparent similarity between the three conditions.

The vague similarity and manner in which symptoms come up can be confusing. It is also making many perplexed, whether or not to get tested, which can be quite a risky

In a situation like this, how can you differentiate between what your symptoms are?

What's the way to differentiate between an allergy or COVID?

If you have been received your COVID-19 vaccine shot, how can you differentiate post-vaccination symptoms from the infection?

It can be really tricky to tell apart allergy symptoms from that of COVID-19, especially if both happen to be prevalent at the same time.

The crucial distinction can also help kids. While children are more prone to allergies, it is being reported that kids are turning out to be symptomatic and getting infected during the second wave than before.

For one, both an allergy infection and COVID bout could present symptoms that primarily impact your upper respiratory tract such as that of a cough, loss of smell, cold, runny eyes, rashes, headache.

Shortness of breath, congestion and breathing difficulties can sometimes occur too but are considered a rarity.

That being said, doctors say there are a few minute differences between allergy and COVID symptoms which may be worth checking for.

The key to differentiating your symptoms comes down to itching and fever, according to experts.

Itchy skin, nose, eyes or throat could be signs of inflammation and more commonly seen with allergies. Right now, itching isn't considered a sign of COVID-19.

Fever again isn't a sign of allergies but highly present in COVID cases. People recording a high wavering temperature, along with other symptoms are likely to suffer from COVID or other illnesses but unlikely to be getting allergies.

Again, allergies also can cause a lot of drainage symptoms that are not usually seen or associated with COVID. From a runny nose, nasal drip to watery eyes, COVID is not known to cause symptoms such as these.

Another sign to check for is the presence of fatigue and tiredness. Lingering signs of a COVID infection, allergies would rarely cause a person to tire out or suffer from unnerving fatigue, which is characteristic of COVID.

Post-vaccination side effects are considered to be the inflammatory reactions you get after you have been administered a vaccine jab.

Vaccines mimic the infectious germ and unleash similar ranging symptoms, meaning that some of the inflammatory reactions with the vaccines could also be similar to the infection, since they are mostly fever, rashes, tiredness, headache, all common with COVID vaccines.

It's important to note that a person CAN get infected by COVID if they do not get complete shots of the vaccine, and become complacent. Only 14 days after your second shot will you be considered fully immunized, post which chances of symptomatic infection go down considerably. So, a person remains very much at risk for catching COVID after getting jabbed and hence, any unusual signs and symptoms must not be ruled out.

Coming to the post-vaccination side-effects, the ones being most commonly reported right now include fever, backache, body pain, fatigue, malaise, lethargy, pain at the injection site, rashes or swelling.

A COVID-19 infection may cause a lot of these symptoms, but rashes and swelling are not widely seen or may strike everyone. Pain at the injection site and swelling are also classic vaccine-side effects.

Again, do remember that a vaccine, in all probability, wouldn't set off symptoms like a cough, sore throat, distorted/impaired sense of smell or taste/ breathing difficulty, chest pain or gastrointestinal symptoms. If you do happen to experience symptoms like this after vaccination and/or suspect exposure, get help.

The manner in which your symptoms come up can also help determine the problem you may be facing- a suspected COVID encounter, allergies or simply suffering from post-vaccination dread.

Put simply, post-vaccination symptoms start off 2-3 hours after getting the shot and remain upto 3-4 days. They usually resolve on their own.

Allergy symptoms strike at a typical time every year and can linger on for hours or days at a stretch. However, they are usually mild and may subside with a difference or change in environment. Runny nose, eyes or sneezing is the first usual reaction in most cases.

Unlike them, a COVID infection could start off in a very different manner and persist for at least 2 weeks time. Most people who suffer from symptomatic infections report that they first get a cough, fever, feel their sense of smell tapering off. Body pain, fatigue, abdominal cramps, delirium set in a while later but the first usual reported symptom is a cough/fever.

Since the cases are increasingly spreading and some similarity present between the three, getting diagnosed in time could help evade complications and also ensure that you do not spread the disease onto others. Safeguarding yours, and the health of those around is equally important.

If you experience a persisting fever (for more than 2 days, higher than 99 degrees Fahrenheit), a cough that changes your voice, pertains through the day or experience unusual fatigue without reason, get tested at once.

Again, newer strains and variants of the virus can cause different symptoms. So it is best to be aware and practice all preventive measures.