Is it seasonal allergies, or COVID-19?

With trees blooming across Connecticut, pollen count levels are higher than ever, triggering runny noses and itchy throats in those who suffer from seasonal allergies. People who experience this may wonder whether they are suffering from allergies or if their symptoms mean they should get tested for COVID-19.

Dr. Eric Walsh, Hartford HealthCare-GoHealth Urgent Care Medical Director, says “Spring is a hard time for those suffering from seasonal allergies. If you are sneezing often, congested and have itchy and watery eyes, you are likely suffering from seasonal allergies. If you are short of breath, achy, nauseous or have a fever, it could be something else, and you should contact your medical provider.”

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, three Connecticut metropolitan areas rank in the top 10 of their recent “allergy capitals” list. This means they are three of the most challenging places for those who suffer from seasonal allergies to live in this year. The top 10 list includes Hartford, ranked 6th, New Haven, ranked 8th, and Bridgeport, ranked 10th.

Pollen levels in Connecticut reached a high mark in early April, with many days that month having an allergy index above 10. Top allergens currently consist of poplar, ash and birch.

According to Dr. Walsh, wearing a mask, which helps prevent the spread of COVID-19, can also help someone suffering from seasonal allergies because pollen particles from pine trees are around 800 times larger than COVID-19 particles! And, because wearing a mask can help prevent pollen particles from entering the nose or mouth, it was recommended to allergy patients as a preventive measure even before the pandemic. While masks can’t prevent allergens from entering the eyes, wearing a mask can still mean fewer allergy attacks for those prone to them.

“Wearing a mask is a great way to protect against the current allergens in Connecticut,” Dr. Walsh says. “Someone who suffers from seasonal allergies and is sneezing and has a runny nose should also make sure to change their mask more often. In general, whenever it gets soiled, the mask should be changed, as a wet mask is not as effective as a dry one. Further, increased moisture on the skin from nasal secretions can lead to skin breakdown and bacterial skin infections. If you develop a rash under the mask line, you should seek medical advice.”

If you’re not sure if your symptoms are allergies or a sign of something else, COVID-19 and other tests can be performed at any of the 18 Hartford HealthCare-GoHealth Urgent Care centers. Hartford HealthCare-GoHealth Urgent Care centers are open with extended hours every day. To find the center closest to you visit www.GoHealthUC.com/CT.

About GoHealth

GoHealth Urgent Care is one of the country’s fastest-growing and most technology-forward on-demand care companies. At GoHealth, we provide unparalleled experiences that are effortless, personal and connected through partnerships with market-leading health systems and our communities as a whole. GoHealth operates approximately 160 on-demand care centers in the greater New York metropolitan area, the Portland, Oregon-Vancouver, Washington metropolitan area, the San Francisco Bay Area, Hartford and South Eastern Connecticut, Winston-Salem and Charlotte, North Carolina, St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Northwest Arkansas and Delaware. GoHealth Urgent Care is a TPG Growth portfolio company, the middle market and growth equity investment platform of TPG, which has more than $103 billion of assets under management. To learn more, please visit www.gohealthuc.com.