© BELGA
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The hay fever season has started. This poses a dilemma for some people: should they go into self-quarantine? And how do you recognize the difference with the corona virus?
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To sneeze. Red eyes. Slight fatigue. These are just some of the hay fever symptoms that resemble the symptoms of Covid-19. And which cause many people headaches: are they simply allergic or have they contracted the corona virus?
“You mainly get allergy symptoms when you are exposed to pollen or allergens, so especially when you go outside,” virologist Steven Van Gucht explained in the past. “With Covid-19 these symptoms persist all the time. With allergies you do not have a high fever or muscle pain. At most a slight fatigue, sneezing, sometimes coughing and little or no fever. With Covid-19, this fatigue is of a completely different order. If you still have doubts, consult a doctor. “
According to Marc Van Ranst, the problem of self-quarantine usually does not arise either. “Most people who have hay fever have often been suffering from it for years. They will therefore quickly recognize the symptoms. Especially if that coincides with a period in which a lot of pollen from birch, or from grasses, or pollen is hanging in the air … They usually also have their own proven remedies to combat hay fever quickly. If they work, they don’t necessarily have to be quarantined. ” jvh, thv
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