Faced with the persistence of the circulation of the Omicron variant and with the fine weather coming, it is not always easy to differentiate between the symptoms linked to an allergic reaction to pollen and those of Covid-19. However, and even if the ENT sphere is the main area concerned, certain signs make it possible to differentiate the two conditions.
According to’Inserm, the number of people with allergies has been increasing in recent decades. Indeed, 25 to 30% of the population would be allergic to “something”, especially children and young adults. The rhinitis and the conjunctivitis are the main manifestations of the reaction to pollen and the upper respiratory tract are, just as in the case of a coronavirus infection, particularly affected.
What are the symptoms of a pollen allergy?
Spring is synonymous with the release of pollens which can be recognized as allergens by some organizations. They are mostly transported by the wind. Pollens oftreesof grasses or herbaceous, they all have the particularity of triggering a release ofIgE in people whose immune system has lost tolerance towards seemingly harmless substances. This results in an excessive release of chemical mediators (histamine) responsible for symptoms allergic.
In touch with the mucous membranes nasal, eyepieces and bronchial, they generate a clinical picture of rhino conjunctivitis with redness and sensation of sand in the eyesclear nasal discharge, sneezing in bursts and pruritus nasal. These symptoms are particularly acute outdoors and may be complicated by a dry, wheezing cough in people asthmatics.
What are the symptoms of an Omicron variant infection?
The main symptoms of Covid-19 are mainly fatigue, cough, feverheadaches and aches. While the previous variants could cause major respiratory problems, Omicron more specifically affects the ENT sphere, thus generating symptoms closer to the common cold (sensation of nose blocked “).
How to make the difference ?
Although some signs may be the same, the body’s defenses against an infectious agent (such as the virus Omicron) and an allergen do not involve the same mechanisms.
The loss of smell in the case of a allergy is due to obstruction of the nasal passages preventing odors from reaching the olfactory area. the SARS-CoV-2on the other hand can infect sensory neurons and cause a inflammation persistence of the epithelium and the olfactory nervous system. A loss of smell without nasal obstruction will therefore direct the diagnostic towards a contamination speak virus.
The same applies if the person has fever. This natural reaction allows the body to fight against an infectious agent by raising the body temperature. This reaction does not exist in the context of an allergy which is an overexpression of immune system.
In addition, pollens coming from outside cause symptoms that change in intensity during the day (particularly as long as contact is maintained with the allergen). The continuity of the signs over time will more specifically predict infection with the coronavirus.
Cough, widely reported in the context of Covid-19, occurs only as a complication of allergic reactions (asthma bronchial) and people who suffer from it are generally familiar with the symptoms and contributing factors.
As a last resort, contact with a person who has tested positive for coronavirus unquestionably leads to a suspicion of infection. In addition, the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA) allows allergy sufferers to monitor pollen peaks. In case of doubt, it is recommended to carry out an antigen test or PCR test to exclude or confirm contamination with the Omicron virus.
Interested in what you just read?
Subscribe to the newsletter Health question of the week : our answer to a question you ask yourself (more or less secretly). All our newsletters