A bad time for allergies

[left-of-center2012]

With peoples' attention on 'the virus', wouldn't you know my pollen related allergies kicked in this past week.

I'm treating the symptoms with antihistamines, but seems when I have to go out & about my occasional sneezing, blowing a runny nose, or clearing my throat due to a little upper respiratory congestion draws a lot more attention than in past years.

Fortunately I have no fever or other symptoms, and I think I feel a tad improved.

Just a bad time for these symptoms to appear!

[msongs]

1. well it will keep people away from you :-) nt

[TwilightZone]

2. I've had a cold for a month.

Exacerbated by allergies and a slightly-shaky immune system.

Not a good time to have a persistent cough. Could be worse, of course, but I was already avoiding going out in public too often to keep from making people feel uncomfortable before all the cancellations/social distancing talk.

[Greybnk48]

3. I started sneezing at Costco (allergies) last Monday and was afraid

someone would attack me. My daughter was laughing her butt off!

[flibbitygiblets]

4. It also puts allergy sufferers at higher risk

Not touching your face is HARD to remember when your nose is itchy and you're sneezing a lot.

[BigmanPigman]

5. Same here.

I am afraid people will hear me cough and treat me like a leper.

[wendyb-NC]

6. I have allergies too.

They always start up about this time of year. No fever, just a scratchy throat.

[kairos12]

7. Same Kleenex filled, sneezing boat. I sneeze in public here in my red state

and I think someone will pull a weapon on me.

[smirkymonkey]

8. Same here.

No fever or body aches, but the usual allergy symptoms. However I have read that a runny nose and watery itchy eyes are NOT symptoms of the virus, so that is reassuring.

[Dem2theMax]

17. Runny nose is one of the first symptoms.

I have allergies, and I was blaming my runny nose on them. This is a little gross, my nose was so runny it was just dripping out. Way past an allergy symptom, at least for me.

Edited to add: Because I have so many of the symptoms of the virus, I have been in contact with my doctor. One of the first questions I was asked is, 'do I have a runny nose?'

[TwilightZone]

21. He probably asked if you had a runny nose because it's a rare symptom, not because it's the first.

And many sources are saying it's not a symptom at all so they're using it to determine a negative diagnosis, though there's a lot of confusion.

WHO, for example, indicated in a press conference that it's not a symptom, but their website says it can be one.

[Fozzledick]

9. I saw a local report that the tree pollen had started up.

The warmer weather brings it out.

[SunSeeker]

10. A runny nose & itchy eyes are not symptoms of Covid-19.

Covid-19 is associated with fever, body aches, shortness of breath and a dry cough.

[TwilightZone]

14. WHO has identified runny nose as a possible symptom.

"The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea."

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

[Glimmer of Hope]

15. This is confusing.

At a press conference, a WHO doctor states a runny nose is not a symptom. At the 17:00 mark:

?t=1036

[TwilightZone]

22. Agreed.

Some sources say it's not a symptom at all, and WHO has conflicting info.

[Native]

11. Ditto

[Niagara]

12. I'm right there with you

Last week I woke up with my normal springtime headache, sneezing and itchy eyes. On occasion while I'm talking, I lose my voice, which might be a good thing.


I just don't want anyone to think that I have the scary virus.

[ChoppinBroccoli]

13. I Caught A Cold Right At The Height Of The "Black Plague Of The 21st Century" Fervor

I don't have the virus, just a very unfortunately timed cold (I have no fever, my sinuses are clogged, and my cough is most definitely not dry). I can't go anywhere for fear that people will think I have it. Just my luck. I get sick maybe once a year, and it happens NOW.

[JCMach1]

16. No shit! I have second guess my condition every morning

When I wake up...

[Dorian Gray]

18. I'm in the same spot...

Just ordered a HIPPA filter air purifier for my bedroom. Need that sucker now.

[MerryBlooms]

20. We have three purifiers running, and it does help.

[MerryBlooms]

19. Mine kicked in a couple of weeks ago.

Itchy ears, watery/itchy eyes, runny nose, itchy face and neck. I'm using oral antihistamines and the Bausch and Lomb Opcon-A eye drops. This time of year, I turn into a full-on face fondling maniac with the itchiness, so that's been the hardest. I've been washing my face and moisturizing a lot, which helps a little.