Coronavirus: How to tell the difference between hay fever and Covid-19 symptoms
9 min readSince being placed in lockdown on 23 March, the UK has experienced a bout of blue skies and sunshine.
It was recently reported that in some parts of Britain, temperatures will soar to 24C this week, with the sunny spell expected to continue throughout Easter weekend.
While the beautiful weather is something to be enjoyed within the lockdown guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic, this season may also see hay fever symptoms flare up among those with the condition.
Earlier this week, the Met Office stated that the tree pollen count is expected to “climb into the moderate to high category” this week, “especially across England and Wales”.
Dr Beverley Adams-Groom, chief pollen forecaster at the University of Worcester, told LBC that the nation is “experiencing a typical tree pollen season”.
“The tree pollen season started on 5 April, as predicted, and we are seeing high counts already from the birch trees,” Dr Adams-Groom said.
“It’s about 25 to 35 per cent of the population — about 18 million people in the UK — who are affected by tree pollen.”
As the tree pollen count increases this week, those who suffer from hay fever may worry that the symptoms they are displaying are signs of contracting Covid-19.
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Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
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Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day
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Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up
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A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
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A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
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Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
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An empty street in the heart of Chinatown
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People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
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A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown
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Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance
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A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus
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Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho
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A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice
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A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden
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As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street
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A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area
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Communities have been coming together in a time of need
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A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day
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A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced
Angela Christofilou
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During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown
Angela Christofilou
17/29
Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time
Angela Christofilou
18/29
‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures
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Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
20/29 Camden High Street
There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops
Angela Christofilou
21/29
Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day
Angela Christofilou
22/29
Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up
Angela Christofilou
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Empty streets around Soho
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A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home
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Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet
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26/29
Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak
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Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced
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28/29
A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road
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A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
Angela Christofilou
“With the appearance of the sun, we’ve also had a huge surge in springtime pollen, causing many of us to question whether our symptoms are hay fever or coronavirus,” states the London Doctors Clinic.
“If you’re not sure what your symptoms are showing it can be a cause of concern during these unsettling times.”
Here’s how to tell the difference.
What are the main symptoms of hay fever?
The main symptoms of hay fever, the NHS outlines, are:
- Sneezing and coughing
- A runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- Loss of smell
- Pain around your temples and forehead
- Headache
- Earache
- Feeling tired
“Hay fever doesn’t cause a high temperature and most people don’t feel unwell,” says Marc Donovan, chief pharmacist at Boots.
The NHS adds that hay fever symptoms may last for weeks or months.
“In some people, hay fever can trigger allergic asthma, causing a tight chest and difficulty breathing,” Allergy UK states.
If an individual has hay fever and asthma, they may also experience a tight feeling in their chest and shortness of breath, in addition to wheezing and coughing.
How are they different to coronavirus symptoms?
The two main symptoms of Covid-19 are a high temperature and a new, continuous cough, the NHS outlines.
If you have a high temperature, “this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)”, the health service explains.
If you have a new continuous cough, “this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours”.
“If you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual,” the NHS adds.
The London Doctors Clinic outlines that other symptoms of the coronavirus may include:
- Tiredness
- Aches and pains
- A sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Some people have reported diarrhoea, nausea and a runny nose but this is rare
What can you do to ease hay fever symptoms?
You can ease your hay fever symptoms by taking measures such as putting Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen, wearing wraparound sunglasses when you’re outside to stop pollen from getting into your eyes and showering and changing your clothes when you come inside to wash the pollen off, the NHS states.
It is also advisable to stay inside and keeping your windows and doors shut as much as possible.
A pharmacist may also be able to advise you on what products may help you, such as antihistamine tablets or nasal sprays.
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A man and his son on their balcony in Brooklyn
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A man sits alone on a roof terrace in Rome
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1/15
A rose is delivered by drone to a woman on Mother’s Day in Jounieh, Lebanon
AFP/Getty
2/15
Women dance on their balcony as a radio station plays music for a flash mob to raise spirits in Rome
Reuters
3/15
A skeleton stands on a balcony in Frankfurt, Germany
AP
4/15
The film Le ragazze di Piazza di Spagna is projected on a building in Rome
AP
5/15
A woman uses a basket tied to a rope to pull a delivery of groceries up to her balcony in Naples, Italy
EPA
6/15
DJ Francesco Cellini plays for his neighbours from the rooftop terrace of his flat block in Rome
Reuters
7/15
A woman gestures from her balcony in Barcelona
EPA
8/15
Cellist Karina Nunez performs for her neighbours at the balcony of her flat in Panama City
Reuters
9/15
DJ Nash Petrovic live streams a set from his roof in Brooklyn
Reuters
10/15
People applaud medical workers from their balconies in Modiin, Israel
Reuters
11/15
A Brooklyn resident relaxes in a hammock hung on their balcony
Reuters
12/15
Residents toast during a “safe distance” aperitif time between neighbours in Anderlecht, Belgium
Reuters
13/15
Musician Adam Moser plays for neighbours from his balcony in Budapest, Hungary
Reuters
14/15
A man and his son on their balcony in Brooklyn
Reuters
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A man sits alone on a roof terrace in Rome
Reuters
What should you do if you display signs of Covid-19?
If you experience symptoms that you think may indicate you have the coronavirus, you should use the NHS’s online 111 service to find out what you should do next.
It is important not to leave your home if you have a high temperature or a new, continuous cough.
“To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home,” the NHS says.
The organisation adds that you should only call 111 if you cannot get help through the online service.
