Allergy and coronavirus: how are the symptoms distinguished?

Never has the sneeze caused such suspicion as these days, when pollens and coronaviruses vie for the appearance in our lives. The pandemic keeps in suspense the more than eight million people who have allergies to pollen in Spain (that of grasses, olive, arizónica and London plane trees are the most common, according to the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology ). Although the door of the house has been sealed for several weeks, out there nature meets its schedule, and "its effects on people with allergies and bronchial asthma are similar to the symptoms of the coronavirus: dry cough, tearing, itchy nose, feeling of fatigue, headache, dryness and, in many cases, dyspnea or shortness of breath and even loss of taste and smell, "says Dr. Javier Subiza, specialist in allergology and clinical immunology. Confinement, far from making these pathologies lessen, causes them to present themselves with the burden of shock.

Since the beginning of this pandemic, Subiza has chosen to close her clinic in order to avoid contagions in waiting rooms, where coughs and sneezes are common. As long as the state of alarm lasts, inquiries are answered by telephone and, as expected, in recent weeks the barrage of questions does not stop. The allergist has shared the most frequent ones with BUENAVIDA readers and has provided an answer for each one.

Generally, an unequivocal distinction from a pollen allergy is that symptoms flare up when the patient is outdoors, which is unlikely now with isolation. Furthermore, they remit somewhat quickly with a topical or oral antihistamine. It is a fairly safe way to distinguish symptoms, but the main difference with coronavirus is that, unless it is complicated by acute sinusitis, there is no fever and generally no digestive problems.

According to Subiza, both the confinement and the air quality that we have this spring in the cities are helping to alleviate the symptoms, but we should not neglect the levels of pollens, mites, irritants, pet epithelia or fungi from garbage and food that they are concentrated in the home. The confinement, in this case, becomes a throwing weapon against allergies and bronchial asthma.

Cleaning and hygiene measures must be conscientious, now more than ever: disinfect objects (mobiles, keyboards, knobs ...) and different areas of the home, dispose of used tissues in closed containers, wash sheets at a temperature 60º and ventilate the house well, better from 23:00. In general, a good cleaning will favor that allergic pathologies are not complicated.

The doctor makes a wake-up call to smokers who come out to the balcony to smoke. This tobacco smoke, which is known as third-hand and goes unnoticed, ends up becoming one of many irritants that exacerbate asthma and rhinitis.

A recent study carried out in Wuhan, with 140 infected patients, indicates that their risk of contagion is not higher, although more studies are necessary. Their airways are more vulnerable to bronchopulmonary infections, especially viral ones. In case of contracting the coronavirus, it could destabilize the patient's asthma if it is not well controlled and aggravate the inflammation process. That is why Subiza advises to strictly comply with the medication and contact your doctor if they observe that they need to adjust the treatment, since a slight inflammation leaves the bronchi more exposed to any respiratory infection.

Little by little, the research allows us to learn more about the Covid-19. For now, it is important to note that other coronaviruses exacerbate asthma episodes and attacks. It is one more reason for the asthmatic patient to extreme the general recommendations for the prevention of the coronavirus contagion: wash hands frequently, follow isolation and social distancing, avoid contact with people who present symptoms, do not touch the eyes, nose or the mouth, not sharing hygiene utensils or food and trying not to go to high-risk areas such as health centers.

It is one of the most recurrent fears in this pandemic. Dr. Subiza never tires of reassuring the population that needs to keep asthma at bay: "Corticosteroids not only do not reduce immunity, but their use prevents a worsening of viral infection or a complication of bacterial infection. The main thing is make sure asthma is under control, "he stresses.

They are not a method of prevention, but their benefits are many when one has this problem. They eliminate allergenic particles, bacteria and viruses. By also reducing mucus, they improve the effectiveness of nasal medications and facilitate air flow.

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