There couldn't be a worse time for a global pandemic to happen than during allergy season. While there is never a good time for a widespread illness to occur, having it coincide with a time of year that normally triggers similar symptoms adds an extra layer of unnecessary panic in many people.

However, there are some simple ways to determine if the drowsiness you feel or the cough you've been experiencing is coronavirus, or if it's simply related to seasonal allergies.

Coronavirus vs Allergy Symptoms

If your eyes are red, watery and itchy, you are likely to be suffering from something less serious than Covid-19, such as a cold or seasonal allergies. Coronavirus concentrates in your respiratory system and does not cause watery eyes.

What differentiates coronavirus allergies is fever. Allergies rarely, if ever, cause fever, while many patients who suspect they have coronavirus have to have a fever to be tested.

Dr Gary Steven, a member of the board of regents of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, says it is essential to be aware and keep track of what causes/worsens symptoms. "If you feel fine when you're indoors and the windows are closed, but when you go outside on a dry, windy day you start sneezing, yes, that's an allergy" says Steven.

The classic symptoms of coronavirus, as stated by The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, are dry cough, fever, exhaustion and shortness of breath.

Lesser known symptoms of coronavirus include:

Sore throat
Headache
Body aches
Nasal congestion
Diarrhea or nausea

In an interview with the Jefferson Health website, Dr John Cohn, professor of allergology and immunology at Jefferson University in Philadelphia, explains that similar symptoms can sometimes cause confusion in self-diagnosis.

"Many of the early symptoms of Covid-19 are similar to that of other diseases and allergies, which can make it difficult to differentiate between coronavirus symptoms and typical allergies, especially at this time of year (spring)" says Cohn. "Making the correct diagnosis is a particular problem being that those infected vary greatly in the severity of the disease," he adds.

For allergy sufferers, there is good news: apart from the fact that allergy symptoms do not coincide with those of coronavirus, the European Academy of Allergy & Clinical Immunology states that having allergies does not affect the ability to contract the virus.

How coronavirus affects your eyes

The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that it is possible for coronavirus to cause conjunctivitis. However, the group states that this eye infection only appears in 1% to 3% of Covid-19 patients.

There are a number of symptoms that can signify conjunctivitis, including:

Swelling of the eyelids or conjunctiva - the thin layer that covers the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelid
The white of the eye - or sclera - appearing pink or red
Increased tear production or discharge
Scabs on the eyelids or eyelashes, especially in the morning
Itching, irritation or burning

In case conjunctivitis is a symptom of coronavirus, it typically starts in one eye and transfers to the other eye within a few days, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It also states that Covid-19-related eye discharge typically has a watery consistency.

How allergies affect your eyes

This is where things can get a little tricky. According to the CDC, allergies can also cause conjunctivitis. However, the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are a little different from the symptoms of viral conjunctivitis.

Allergic conjunctivitis typically affects both eyes simultaneously and can cause itching, swelling and tearing. Thicker eye discharge is also common in cases of conjunctivitis that are not coronavirus-related.

Conjunctivitis is typically diagnosed through an eye examination which includes:

Review of symptoms
Tests to determine any vision damage
Assessment of the conjunctiva and external eye tissue
Internal evaluation of the eyeball

When should you contact a healthcare professional?

During this period of uncertainty, notice any noticeable changes in your health and your eyes. Knowing the differences between allergy and coronavirus symptoms is a good place to start. If you have allergies or have symptoms of coronavirus, contact your doctor.

And, of course, be vigilant about taking the necessary steps to stay healthy and avoid coronavirus. Wash your hands, stay home, if you must go out keep the recommended social distance, and try to relax while we wait for the coronavirus storm to pass.