Runny nose, sneezing, with spring it’s pollen and allergy season. But in the midst of a coronavirus epidemic, some are hesitant to take their treatment for fear of promoting infection or fear missing out on symptoms of Covid-19 viral disease.
Allergy or Covid-19?
“In allergy, there is no temperature, no infectious picture, no fever, no chills and generally the patients do not have either intense fatigue or loss of smell as it was reported in Covid-19 “, explains Professor Chantal Raherison, president of the French-speaking Pneumology Society.
However “the temperature may be slightly skewed by taking other medicines, such as Doliprane and for some patients with severe asthma, the fever may be masked by long-term cortisone use. In case of unusual shortness of breath , you have to consult, “she said.
The specialist gives indications for those whose allergy to the pollen season or to other allergens (dust, mites, molds …) has not necessarily been diagnosed: “If we start to have wheezing in the chest, a rather dry, faint cough, which can appear at night, which increases with laughter, with exercise … It is a respiratory manifestation of the allergy often improved by Ventolin, a bronchodilator ” .
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Allergies and containment
“Containment is a special period: people who usually have allergies to animal hair, mites, molds, cockroaches … can see their allergy symptoms increase due to staying locked up at home”, notes Professor Gilles Garcia, pulmonologist of the Asthma & Allergies Association. This association (toll free 0800 19 20 21) provides practical advice on its website on the impact of confinement on the air you breathe at home.
Take or stop treatment?
Regularly at this time of year, it is the return of allergic rhinitis – stuffy nose, itchy eyes … – and sometimes in some people with allergic asthma, there may be asthma that is worse, with a cough and the onset of asthma attacks, says Chantal Raherison.
You must take your anti-allergy treatment (antihistamines …) to relieve the symptoms linked to exposure to pollens, with allergic asthma, its basic treatment (inhaled corticosteroids …), specialists say.
If, however, things do not get better, if there are any unusual signs, you should contact your doctor or teleconsult.
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