As the JN.1 variant is widely spreading, inciting past traumas of the first three waves of the COVID pandemic, health authorities are warning that not every symptom of the respiratory tract means that you have COVID. The onset of winter brings a host of infections, allergies, and diseases, a lot of which mimic the symptoms of COVID-19. One such medical issue can be Allergic rhinitis.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, allergic rhinitis usually causes symptoms that mimic a common cold, such as sneezing, and an itchy, blocked, or runny nose. Talking to the team of OnlyMyHealth, Dr G Krishna Mohan Reddy, Consultant Physician and Diabetologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, tried to clear the confusion between allergic rhinitis and COVID, “Allergic rhinitis and COVID-19 are distinct conditions with different causes, symptoms, and implications.”
Allergic Rhinitis Vs COVID-19
“Allergic Rhinitis is an allergic reaction to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mould. The immune system mistakenly identifies these substances as harmful and releases chemicals, including histamines, leading to symptoms like sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, nasal congestion, headache, and itchy or watery eyes,” explained Dr Reddy.
COVID on the other hand, as everyone knows now, is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It primarily spreads through respiratory droplets from an infected person, like many other viral diseases. Unlike allergic rhinitis, symptoms of COVID can vary widely from fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, and gastrointestinal symptoms, informed Dr Reddy.
Another major difference between the two diseases is that you just can not miss the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. People infected with COVID on the other hand may even be asymptomatic. Dr Reddy added, “Symptoms of allergic rhinitis are usually seasonal, depending on the specific allergen causing the reaction. They can also be persistent for individuals with perennial allergic rhinitis.”
Managing Allergic Rhinitis
Dr Reddy informed that, unlike COVID, allergic rhinitis is not contagious. “It is an immune system response to allergens and is not transmitted from person to person. COVID-19 however is highly contagious. It spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected individuals. It can also be transmitted by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus,” he explained.
Although this bifurcation of allergic rhinitis and COVID-19 may seem like allergic rhinitis may be a better diagnosis, but that is not the case. You may build some immunity against SARS-CoV-2 after catching this virus, eventually reducing the symptoms of COVID on reinfection. Unfortunately, that is not the case with allergic rhinitis.
Additionally, Dr Reddy elucidated, “COVID-19 can be diagnosed easily through simple molecular tests like PCR or rapid antigen tests that detect the presence of the virus. Allergic rhinitis on the other hand requires a diagnosis based on symptoms, medical history, and sometimes allergy testing that may include skin tests or blood tests.”
Similarly, the treatment modalities of allergic rhinitis are also more complex. According to Dr Reddy, a combination of antihistamines, decongestants, nasal corticosteroids, and allergen avoidance, is required to manage it.
Dr Reddy concluded that it's vital to keep in mind that, despite their distinctions, several COVID-19 symptoms, such as fatigue and cough, can also be mistaken for allergic rhinitis. That is why timely testing and medical consultation are essential for an accurate diagnosis in cases when COVID-19 is suspected.