²ÝÁñÉçÇø

Allergy season is in full bloom with its stuffy noses and sneezes, but telling the difference between seasonal allergies and COVID-19 can be difficult.

Allergies and COVID-19 have some similar side effects but are easier to tell apart than you might think, according to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, an association for infection preventionists with a mission to advance the science behind infection prevention and control. Allergy symptoms such as sneezing or an itchy nose, eyes, or mouth are rarely symptoms of COVID-19. In the same way, most COVID-19 symptoms are not usually seen in someone suffering with allergies, such as fevers, chills, muscles aches, vomiting, diarrhea or nausea, the association’s website states.

â–ª COVID: Fever or chills, cough, body aches, headaches, tiredness, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath. Less common are sore throat and runny or stuffy nose.

â–ª Allergies: Cough, headaches, tiredness, sore throat, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose. Less common is shortness of breath.