Is it COVID, RSV or seasonal allergies? Here’s how to tell the difference this spring

Simone Jasper
Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

Spring is just getting its start — and people with seasonal allergies may be bracing for the discomfort.

As you breathe in plant pollen this time of year, it can trigger symptoms that range from sneezing to coughing.

But with the coronavirus and RSV still spreading, how can you tell whether allergies are causing your symptoms? Here are some tips for telling the difference between allergies and the two viruses, according to the Allergy & Asthma Network.

What are common allergy symptoms?

Several common symptoms of seasonal allergies and COVID-19 are similar, including:

  • Cough

  • Stuffy or runny nose

  • Sneezing

  • Headache

  • Sore throat

But if you experience itchiness in the nose or throat, that’s more likely a sign of seasonal allergies. Another common allergy symptom is itchy or watery eyes, according to the Cleveland Clinic website and an expert with the network.

“Allergies also last for weeks or months (whereas) COVID or viruses are generally (two) weeks or less,” Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist, told McClatchy News in a March 20 email.

What symptoms can COVID-19 cause?

Parikh said the following symptoms are more common with viruses, such as COVID-19:

  • Cough with mucus

  • Fever or chills

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle aches

“COVID-19 can cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing,” the Mayo Clinic wrote on its website in November. “But seasonal allergies don’t usually cause these symptoms unless you have a respiratory condition such as asthma that can be triggered by pollen exposure.”

How do RSV symptoms compare?

“RSV tends to have more wheezing and chest symptoms but every other symptom is identical and nearly impossible to distinguish from COVID or flu or another virus without a test,” Parikh said.

If you’re unsure what’s making you feel sick, doctors recommend taking a COVID-19 test. People also should get tested after five days of being exposed to someone who had COVID-19, according to guidance the CDC last updated in September.

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