Coronavirus or hay fever: What allergy sufferers should know

and Florian Tiefenböck, doctor

Jens Richter is editor-in-chief at Since July 2020, the doctor and journalist has also been responsible as COO for business operations and the strategic development of

Complaints are sometimes similar

In pollen allergy sufferers, this leads to a sharp increase in symptoms such as runny nose and the urge to sneeze, itchy or burning eyes, sore throat and throat irritation and a feeling of general exhaustion - symptoms that can also occur in a very similar way with Covid-19.

If there is also allergic asthma, dry coughing and - in particularly severe cases - shortness of breath can occur. The concern of not recognizing a coronavirus infection in time and thereby putting yourself and others in danger is understandable.

Differences between Covid-19 and pollen allergy

Still, there are a few differences that, while not entirely certain, give good indications as to what is likely to be behind the symptoms:

Pollen allergy sufferers usually do not have a fever, at most a slightly elevated temperature. With Covid-19, on the other hand, a fever over 38.2 degrees is one of the symptoms in around half of the sick.
In the case of hay fever, in addition to the runny nose, the sneeze that occurs in waves is a particularly typical symptom. With Covid-19, a cold is possible (in approx. 28% of those infected), but strong sneezing stimulus is not typical according to the current state of knowledge.
The symptoms of a pollen allergy often have a very undulating course, i.e. they appear suddenly at certain times of the day or after certain triggers (after getting up, taking a walk or ventilating the apartment) and decrease significantly when the pollen contact no longer exists. With Covid-19, symptoms develop gradually and continue to increase over hours to days.

What to do if Corona is suspected?

If you cannot make a sufficient distinction on the basis of this information, or if you are still worried about a possible coronavirus infection, for example because you cannot rule out contact with potentially infected people, you should contact your general practitioner or ENT specialist by telephone and discuss the next steps with him. The same applies to people who are not previously known to have a pollen allergy.

Important: continue to take allergy medication

Anyone who successfully treats their allergic disease with medication, i.e. who is well adjusted medically, should definitely continue this therapy. The decongestant and anti-inflammatory effect of the drugs is not only important to protect against complications of the underlying allergic disease - such as a bacterial infection of the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis), the bronchi or the lung tissue.

Mucous membranes with a largely intact barrier function can also protect themselves better against viruses such as the novel coronavirus. The German Respiratory League therefore recommends that cortisone-containing drugs for inhalation, such as nasal sprays or metered dose aerosols, continue to be used as prescribed.

Allergy sufferers can also be vaccinated against Covid-19

The Standing Vaccination Commission also recommends Covid-19 vaccinations for allergy sufferers. In rare cases, severe immune reactions have occurred during the vaccination (anaphylactic shock). If you have a vaccination appointment, you should therefore point out your allergies in the preliminary discussion. This is especially true if you have already suffered such a shock. You will then be observed a little longer after the vaccination.

Risk factor allergic asthma

The German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB) points out that people with allergic asthma have a higher risk of developing a serious coronavirus infection than healthy people. This is especially true if you are medically poorly adjusted.

The DAAB experts therefore emphasize that those affected should get their allergy drugs early on and use them consistently. Furthermore, there is currently no evidence that the doses of cortisone that allergy sufferers have to inhale increase the risk of a severe course of Covid-19. Suddenly stopping the medication is much more dangerous: there is a risk of a severe asthma attack.

Would you like to find out more about the Covid-19 risk groups? Then read the article "Coronavirus: Who is particularly at risk?"

What else should allergy sufferers consider?

In general, the following applies: Strictly adhere to the protective measures. This means:

Wear an FFP-2 mask. This not only protects against the virus, but also against pollen.

Wash your hands thoroughly regularly, ideally for 20 seconds.
Keep a distance from others, at least one and a half meters, better two.
Do not touch the face with unwashed hands (eyes, mouth, nose).
Sneeze and cough into the crook of your arm.

In addition, the experts at the Robert Koch Institute recommend that patients with severe allergies to pneumococci and influenza get vaccinated. It is best to avoid other irritants too, such as tobacco smoke, fragrance or cleaning sprays, dust and exhaust fumes.

Pollen allergy sufferers should also avoid pollen as much as possible. Ideally, stay indoors with the windows closed during the worst hours of a warm, dry, and windy day. In the city it is best to ventilate in the morning, in the country in the evening. The ideal time to go for a walk is after a rain shower - even in times of the coronavirus.

Tags: symptoms prevention first aid