Sneezing is not a common coronavirus symptom -- here's how to differentiate the virus from allergies

[IronLionZion]

https://www.businessinsider.com/sneezing-not-common-coronavirus-symptom-2020-3

Sneezing and runny noses are not common symptoms of COVID-19, the disease the coronavirus causes.
It's a misconception that nasal symptoms are common — instead, the most common symptoms are fever and a dry cough.
The virus has infected more than 417,000 people and killed more than 18,500.

If you see someone coughing or sneezing on the street and are scared they might have the coronavirus, remember: Sneezing is not a common symptom of COVID-19.

Instead, the primary signs of COVID-19 are fever and a dry cough. Other symptoms include fatigue, nausea, body aches, coughing, shortness of breath, and gastrointestinal issues.

Here are the symptoms associated with COVID-19 and how they compare with symptoms of the common cold, the flu, and allergies:

There are DUers still promoting the lie that people who sneeze must be publicly shamed or whatever. I get it, you're paranoid when out in public. That's one of many reasons why allergy sufferers avoid even going to the grocery store these days. But it's extra irritating on a webex meeting or call when I sneeze and some covidiot thinks I have the virus. That's no different from I'm brown so Trumpster MAGAts think I'm an immigrant. Come on DUers, don't be like Trumpsters.

If someone has fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, then you can be concerned.

[tavernier]

1. I beg to differ re. sore throats.

Spring allergies always give me a scratchy/sore throat. That’s my first clue.

[IronLionZion]

3. Correct, and there are different types of allergic reactions and allergens

which affect people differently.

[tavernier]

5. I wasn't dissing your chart. It's very helpful

They just got sore throats wrong, lol, as I sit here sucking on a lozenge after my daily walk past blooming bushes. Achoo.

[whopis01]

19. I think they mixed it up

because the reason for the sore throat is different.

For allergies, the sore throat is usually from post-nasal drip irritating the throat. It is sort of a secondary irritation. A flu or cold can actually infect the throat.

In the end the symptom is the same - you have a sore throat. So their chart is wrong, as you pointed out. I'm just betting this is the reason they made the mistake.

[DonaldsRump]

2. VERY useful

Thank you for posting.

[ChazII]

4. Thank you, for sharing. n/t

[TwilightZone]

6. You're assuming that they're mutually exclusive. They're not.

It is entirely possible that someone could have allergies *and* be infected with the virus.

In that case, sneezing would indeed a problem.

Seems like that would be self-evident, but I guess not. Hard to see the big picture if one is focused upon one's self, I suppose.

[IronLionZion]

7. Still can't catch viruses through webex or phone calls

Wear a mask, cover your mouth, or sneeze into your elbow if out in public. There is no need to be hostile to someone just because you "fear for your life". People have already experienced violence, hostility, stabbings, and shootings because of panic over COVID-19.

Seems like that would be self-evident, but I guess not. Hard to see the big picture if one is focused upon one's self, I suppose.

Goes both ways

[lpbk2713]

8. Bookmarking

Thanks.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

9. I also think the chart is wrong about shortness of breath with allergies.

I've certainly never had that symptom, and I've never heard an allergy suffer complain about it. While it might happen to some, it's not common.

[IronLionZion]

11. Allergies vary a lot by allergen and reaction

affecting people differently. It sounds like the chart was done with the most common respiratory allergies like tree pollen, ragweed, pet dander, dust mites, etc. since COVID-19 is a respiratory disease.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

14. I have several of the named allergies.

Again, shortness of breath has never been a symptom for me, and it's never something I've heard of other allergy sufferers complain of.

And when I see "allergies", what I think of are the common seasonal allergies. Not stuff like a food allergy.

[HotTeaBag]

10. I saw this a couple of weeks ago and passed it around social media and such,

but it's outdated now.

As time goes on, more and more people are experiencing symptoms deemed rare as their only symptom, or not experiencing symptoms deemed common and some are experiencing things that aren't even listed.

[IronLionZion]

12. That's what makes it so difficult

My goal in sharing this is to reduce panic, and side effects like hostility. Panic is as big a problem now as the virus itself.

A poster above claimed I was thinking of myself but I've seen all sorts of people including essential workers and store clerks being verbally or physically abused for sneezing even though they wore a mask or sneezed into their elbow.

[lark]

13. I am one of those allergy sufferers who is getting hit hard with the extra pollen this year.

I have nasal drainage down my throat that makes me cough, but it is a generally productive, not dry. Still, I feel like a criminal when I'm at a store and cough and people glare. There are no masks or gloves available and I don't have a sewing machine. I'm trying today to make 4 folded masks out of an old curtain because it's a good idea to wear one and plus maybe people won't be so paranoid, don't want them worrying. I have only been going to the store to get food for my sick finicky cat because Chewy is out of the only food he will eat. Hubby does the big grocery shopping by himself, safer that way.

[IronLionZion]

15. I use a neck gaiter to cover my nose and mouth

I've seen people use scarves and other makeshift items like handkerchiefs or bandanas. I get that we need to avoid spraying droplets or anything into the air, but we also need to live our lives without people doing irrational things to us because of panic.

My Mom is stitching washable cotton masks at home with materials she ordered online. Moms are the types of people who still have a sewing machine these days because I certainly don't.

[lark]

18. i actually have a very old machine that can be repaired.

Unfortunately the only person in town that I know of did this retired. The bobbin keeps tangling and I know it's probably just an adjustment but I don't know anything at all about how to do that. Mom knew how to adjust the bobbins, but she passed many years ago. Guess when this mess slows way down I will try to find someone to repair it so I'm prepared for the next horrible thing that happens.

[roamer65]

16. Like any virus it's gonna find your weakest link and exploit it.

[IronLionZion]

17. Panicking people are our weakest link

[roamer65]

20. Very true.

So true.