A runny nose, sore throat, sneezing: these symptoms can be caused by both corona and hay fever. Because especially in June, grass and other pollen fly more. FOCUS Online explains which symptoms speak for what.
The number of corona infections is increasing again in Germany – the summer wave is rolling. But hay fever is also in high season at the moment. Grass pollen in particular is now increasingly flying through the air. Anyone who is sniffling now is wondering what’s behind it: Do I really have hay fever or is it Corona after all? Only a PCR test can provide a 100% answer. However, if you observe your symptoms closely, you can already find important clues as to what they are.
April to May: birch, beech, oak, poplar, willow
End of May to June: rye, other cereals, sweet grasses
July and August: mugwort, nettle, plantain
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen and usually manifests itself with the following symptoms:
In severe cases, hay fever can also lead to asthmatic symptoms and trigger coughing, shortness of breath and shortness of breath. Seven million Germans are affected by the allergy.
In the case of an infection with the omicron variant, on the other hand, the following symptoms are most common:
Symptoms such as loss of taste and smell are rare with the Omicron variant, in contrast to Delta and other variants.
So symptoms can overlap and be difficult to distinguish. But as a rule, hay fever sufferers are spared fever and body aches. Many corona sufferers, on the other hand, complain about it.
Itchy and watery eyes, on the other hand, tend not to occur with a corona infection. Sneezing is also more of a typical allergy symptom.
And the duration of the symptoms also differs: while omicron symptoms are usually over after three to five days in those who have been vaccinated, people with pollen allergies are often affected throughout spring and summer.
The number of people suffering from hay fever has increased dramatically in recent years. It is one of the most common forms of allergy. In addition to smoking, exhaust fumes and excessive hygiene, genetic factors also play a role in the development. Hay fever should not be taken lightly, because if left untreated it can get progressively worse and there is a risk of developing allergic asthma. Children and the elderly are particularly affected by hay fever.
nose tight? teary eyes? Our PDF guide explains how you can fight hay fever and enjoy spring again.
Instead of just alleviating the acute symptoms with medication such as antihistamines or cortisone, hyposensitization is considered the most effective treatment method for hay fever. The immune system slowly gets used to the allergen. In around 85 percent of patients, significant relief can be achieved up to and including the disappearance of the allergy symptoms.
However, only a few people use this therapy, as physician and allergy expert Torsten Zuberbier from the Charité Berlin says in the “Welt” interview. And that “although it is also paid for by the statutory health insurance funds”.
According to Zuberbier, allergy sufferers could be permanently relieved of their symptoms through hyposensitization. He illustrates the principle with a comparison: “In the case of an allergy, our immune system, the ‘body police’, has the wrong profile, so to speak. For example, instead of a true criminal, it has your likeness on it, even though you’re perfectly harmless and only look alike. Through the hyposensitization, we signal the body police: This is only Mr. Aé, please don’t beat him up and take him away.” In the meantime, the procedure can often be carried out with tablets or drops, so that only a few doctor’s visits are necessary, explains the doctor.
The German Allergy and Asthma Association recommends an old household remedy for annoying hay fever for everyday use: the nasal douche. The nasal cavities are flushed with a saline solution to remove pollen and secretions from the nose.
Also helpful: If possible, wash your hair before going to bed and take off your street clothes outside of the bedroom so that you don’t take the allergens to bed with you.
According to a study by the Charité Berlin, it also makes sense to wear FFP2 or medical masks. They therefore not only protect against omicron infection. They also prevent pollen from entering the lining of the mouth and nose, helping to prevent hay fever.
