Transcript
Now that the World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, it is understandable that people may get a little nervous every time they sneeze, cough or have a runny nose.
Early symptoms of allergies, cold, flu and coronavirus could be similar.
To help ease the anxiety, the director of the Mayo Clinic explains the difference between typical allergy, cold and flu symptoms and those associated with the coronavirus.
If you have itchy eyes and a runny nose, you probably have allergies or a common cold.
Allergies tend to affect the head with symptoms localized to the nose and the eyes.
And if you experience the same symptoms around the same time every year, you probably have seasonal allergies and over-the-counter medication should relieve the symptoms.
Coronavirus and flu symptoms tend to affect the whole body.
You may not have a runny nose but you might have sore throat, cough, fever or shortness of breath.
Also coronavirus and flu symptoms can put you out of commission.
You feel so tired and achy you stay in bed.
Cold symptoms usually resolve themselves in a few days with proper care but coronavirus and flu symptoms tend to get worse over time.
However the coronavirus usually has extenuating circumstances associated with it.
A doctor will ask if you, anyone your home, co-worker or classmate have traveled recently and, if so, where, if you have been on a cruise ship or live near an area where there is an outbreak.
While the coronavirus should be taken seriously, health experts say the chances of an individual getting it are still low.
But if you are worried, call your physician, describe your symptoms and they will make the official diagnosis.
Posted – 3.12.20