GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — In the COVID-19 era, it can be worrisome to recognize symptoms of varying illnesses overlap with the contagious respiratory virus.
According to the Mayo Clinic, seasonal allergies are "immune system responses triggered by exposure to allergens, such as seasonal tree or grass pollens," and not caused by viral infections like COVID-19 and the common cold.
Hallmarks of seasonal allergies include runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion and sneezing, according to the American Academy of Allergies Asthma & Immunology. These symptoms are rarely seen in coronavirus cases.
On the other hand, seasonal allergies typically do not cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing like coronavirus does, unless you have asthma or other respiratory conditions set off by pollen.
Coronavirus may also cause chills, repeated shaking and headaches which are not seen in seasonal allergies.
