Is anyone else afraid to sneeze in public? Just me? OK, then. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, seasonal allergy sufferers have been in quite the predicament. They’ve had to make the choice between suffering in silence while choking back coughs and sneezes or being on the receiving end of dirty looks for letting them rip, even with masks in place. For our children, showing up to school with these symptoms has been problematic, with teachers and parents alike wanting to know “is this COVID?”. Any pediatrician can tell you that kids have runny noses for lots of different reasons, especially at this time of year. It’s important to keep things in perspective and not panic at the first sign of a runny nose or other symptoms in children. While the symptoms of allergies, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses can be similar, there are some ways to tell which one your child is experiencing, so that you can know how to treat it appropriately.
Check for a fever. Fever is perhaps the most helpful symptom when trying to distinguish between allergies and infection. Allergies tend not to be associated with fever, whereas, a fever is usually an indication that an infection is present. Checking for a fever does not involve placing the back of your hand on your child’s forehead. Get a thermometer. Check the temperature in the ears, mouth, under the arm, or (on very little ones) the rectum. If the temperature is 100.4 or higher, then your child has a fever. A fever could indicate a flu or a number of other infections, including COVID-19.
Take note of associated symptoms. Allergies tend to be associated with itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and a tickle in the throat that can lead to coughing. Respiratory infections, on the other hand, in addition to fever, can cause sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue to go along with respiratory symptoms. COVID-19 infections in children have also been found to be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. If these are present, it’s more likely your child’s symptoms are related to infection rather than allergies.
If your child has a history of seasonal allergies or other atopic conditions, like asthma, it’s important to keep those conditions in check. While difficulty breathing and shortness of breath have been seen in COVID-19 infections, it can also be a sign of an asthma exacerbation which is also very common during allergy season. Children with asthma or allergic rhinitis should be on their controller medications, if it was something that was recommended in the past. This makes it much less likely that allergens can trigger symptoms which can be confused with infection.
Of course, the only sure way to know whether your child has an infection is to get them tested. Many doctor’s offices and labs are available to test your child for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses like the flu. If your child is displaying symptoms or has had known exposure to any infected individuals, contact their doctor to see about getting them tested. If your child is negative, they are likely suffering from allergies. Allergies are not contagious. Your child’s doctor can make recommendations for symptomatic relief. However, if your child has a fever or tests positive for a respiratory virus, it is very important to keep them home until they are fever-free for 24 hours or have undergone the recommended amount of time for quarantine.
There are several important differences between allergies, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections. If your child is experiencing symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance on what these symptoms can represent and how they should be treated. Remember, your pediatrician is here to help you raise happy and healthy kids.
• Dr. Tamarra Moss is a pediatrician committed to helping you raise happy and healthy kids. You can find her at Dr. Carlos Thomas & Pediatric Associates in Nassau, Lucayan Medical Center in Grand Bahama, or on Instagram @mykidsdoc242.
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source https://thenassauguardian.com/not-all-sniffles-are-created-equal/
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