Sinus allergies or Covid?

Sore throat, sinus congestion, sinus pain, sneezing. Sounds like allergies, but it also sounds like Covid. 

I commonly hear clients say “I’ve got the worst allergies I’ve ever had! I’ve taken everything. I’m downing Zyrtec and Benadryl and nothing helps!”

Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis often result in symptoms that overlap with Covid-19 infection. But just because they produce many of the same symptoms does not mean they are treated the same. Rhinitis and sinusitis caused by allergies are treated with antihistamines. However, Covid-19 is a virus. Viruses do not respond to allergy medication. Therefore, allergy symptoms that do not respond to allergy medications usually indicate that your symptoms are not due to allergies, and viral or bacterial infection should be suspected.

Viruses that might cause allergic-type symptoms include Covid-19, flu and RSV. Antiviral medications are available to treat Covid-19 and influenza.

Another important difference between allergies and viral infection is that allergies are not contagious. Testing for viral infection is valuable in order to prevent spreading illness to your family, co-workers or other members of your community.