COVID OR HAY FEVER? HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE
It’s the battle of the summer. The Covid FLiRT variant versus hay fever. At stake, the hearts and lungs of the nation. Winner takes all… the tissues.
If you’ve had the misfortune of travelling on public transport in the past month, you’ll have experienced it. The coughing, the spluttering, the sniffing. Flights are snot-rockets. Trains, achoo-choos.
We are under siege from a respiratory double whammy.
The FLiRT variant is reported to have been responsible for a 24 per cent rise in Covid-related hospital admissions in June, and it accounts for 40 per cent of all Covid cases in the UK and for more than 69 per cent of cases in the US.
“FLiRT covers three omicron variants, each with slightly different mutations,” explains Prof Lawrence Young of the University of Warwick. “As it spreads, Covid is changing and we don’t know the full prevalence in the community because we are no longer habitually testing.
“Covid is not a seasonal infection. We expected it to settle into an autumn and winter condition, but it hasn’t.”
Although there is no evidence that the new variant is any more severe, it does appear to be more infectious.
Meanwhile, the number of hay fever sufferers is rising year on year, with the NHS estimating that approximately 20 per cent of UK residents are hay fever sufferers. In the week commencing June 17 the number of hay fever sufferers searching for NHS advice rose by 147 per cent with many reporting more severe symptoms this year.
Rebecca Owen, a lecturer in sports and exercise at University of Derby who also studies long Covid, says there may be a link between a rise in hay fever sufferers and Covid.
“A lot of people have had Covid-19, and infections can make us more susceptible to allergies. They can activate the immune response in what’s called mast cell activation syndrome, so while more studies are needed, it could be that some of those who have been infected with Covid may then develop hay fever.”
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So, if you have the sniffles or a sore throat, or any of the other symptoms the conditions share, how do you know what you have and what to do about it?
How do you tell which you’ve got?
Typical hay fever symptoms include sneezing, coughing, a runny or blocked nose, as well as red, itchy, or watery eyes. Sufferers can also experience headaches, earache or lose their sense of smell. Symptoms of the FLiRT variant are fever, continuous cough, change or loss of smell and taste, along with a sore throat, nausea and diarrhoea.
Owen says: “It is difficult to tell the difference between the two because some symptoms overlap, if you feel unwell testing is the only way to tell.”
How to deal with it: FLiRT
There are no mandates in force, but as with any transmissible illness it is advisable to stay away from the elderly or vulnerable.
Prof Young says: “Only 60 per cent of eligible people came forward for boosters in the spring and the latest hospital data shows the increase in admissions was mainly in people over 85. There are still people in the community who are vulnerable.”
The experts advise not to go out in big crowds. Masks can also help stop the spread of airborne particles.
“Treat it as you would a cold with over the counter medication to treat the specific symptoms,” Young adds. “If you are really poorly, isolate for a few days so you don’t spread it.”
How to deal with it: Hay fever
Hay fever symptoms can usually be managed at home or with medication widely available in community pharmacies or supermarkets.
Cetirizine is one of the most common medications. It is an antihistamine with brand names such as Benadryl Allergy, Piriteze Allergy, Zirtek Allergy. It’s usual to take cetirizine once a day but it can be taken twice a day. It is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, but some people still find it makes them feel sleepy. It is used as a preventative treatment in the early stages of hay fever, and at the first sign of your symptoms.
Allergen barrier nasal sprays and nasal gels can also be used in the nose and get to work within a few minutes. Corticosteroid nasal sprays can help to control symptoms such as inflammation of the nasal lining and itchy red eyes.
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2024-07-03T17:24:43Z dg43tfdfdgfd
