NEEDHAM. DOUG: SNIFFLES, CONGESTION, DRY COUGH, SORE THROAT. IN A TIME OF COVID-19, EVEN SIMPLE SEASONAL ALLERGIES CAN MAKE PEOPLE A LITTLE UNEASY. >> THERE IS A LOT OF ANXIETY OUT THERE WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABL DOUG: DR. LAKIEA WRIGHT IS A PHYSICIAN AT BRIGHAM AND WOMEN鈥橲 DIVISION OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY SHE SAYS SHE鈥橲 SEEING A LOT OF CONFUSION IN THE AIR THESE DAYS WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE SELF-DIAGNOSIN >> RUNNY NOSE, STUFFY NOSE, WATERY ITCHY EYES. BUT WHEN YOU COME TO COVID SYMPTOMS, YOU HAVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH, FEVER, COUGH DOUG: DR. WRIGHT SAYS IT鈥橲 CRITICAL FOR PEOPLE TO BE AWAR OF THE DISTINGUISHING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COVID AND THE SEASONAL SNIFFLES. >> ALLERGIES ALONE WOULD NOT CAUSE FEVER. THEY SHOULD NOT CAUSE SHORTNESS OF BREATH, UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING LIKE ASTHMA. AND YOU SHOULDN鈥橳 GET BODY ACHES OR CHILLS. DOUG: DR. WRIGHT SAYS THERE ARE A FEW THINGS PEOPLE SHOULD BE CONSCIOUS ABOUT OVER THE NEX MONTH OR SO. IF YOUR SYMPTOMS ARISE WHEN YOUR OUTSIDE OR THE WINDOW IS OPEN, IT鈥橲 PROBABLY THE POLLEN. THAT SAID, DR. WRIGHT WANTS TO EMPHASIZE AN IMPORTANT POINT. >> MY MESSAGING IS TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. DOUG: DR. WRIGHT SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP BEAT BACK THOSE ALLERGIES. FIRST AND FOREMOST WEARING THE MASK. IT KEEPS THE POLLEN FROM CREEPING IN. BREAK OUT THE SUNGLASSES. IT HELPS WITH THOSE ITCHY AND
Seasonal allergies or COVID-19? Doctor explains different symptoms
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Updated: 10:25 AM CDT May 13, 2020
Seasonal allergies鈥� sniffles, congestion, dry cough and sore throat in a time of COVID-19 can make people a little uneasy."There is a lot of anxiety out there, which is understandable," said Dr. Lakiea Wright, a physician in the division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.Wright said she's seeing a lot of confusion in the air these days when it comes to people self-diagnosing."Runny nose, stuffy nose, watery itchy eyes. But when you come to COVID, symptoms you have are shortness of breath, fever, cough," she said.Wright said it鈥檚 critical for people to be aware of the distinguishing differences between COVID-19 and the seasonal sniffles."Allergies alone would not cause fever. They should not cause shortness of breath 鈥� unless you have something like asthma. And you shouldn't get body aches or chills," she said. Wright said there are a few things people should be conscious about over the next month or so. For example, if your symptoms increase when you鈥檙e outside or the window is open, it's probably the pollen.Wright said there are several things you can do to help beat back those allergies. Wear a mask and wear sunglasses. Both help keep the pollen away by protecting your nose, mouth and eyes.
BOSTON — Seasonal allergies鈥� sniffles, congestion, dry cough and sore throat in a time of COVID-19 can make people a little uneasy.
"There is a lot of anxiety out there, which is understandable," said Dr. Lakiea Wright, a physician in the division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Wright said she's seeing a lot of confusion in the air these days when it comes to people self-diagnosing.
"Runny nose, stuffy nose, watery itchy eyes. But when you come to COVID, symptoms you have are shortness of breath, fever, cough," she said.
Wright said it鈥檚 critical for people to be aware of the distinguishing differences between COVID-19 and the seasonal sniffles.
"Allergies alone would not cause fever. They should not cause shortness of breath 鈥� unless you have something like asthma. And you shouldn't get body aches or chills," she said.
Wright said there are a few things people should be conscious about over the next month or so. For example, if your symptoms increase when you鈥檙e outside or the window is open, it's probably the pollen.
Wright said there are several things you can do to help beat back those allergies. Wear a mask and wear sunglasses. Both help keep the pollen away by protecting your nose, mouth and eyes.
