NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The start to allergy season is intersecting with the the coronavirus entrance to Tennessee.
The signs of spring are here including the notorious allergy sneeze. "That kind of scares me," Rich Bauerle said," cause I know it’s like droplet transmissions."
As more patients pop up with the new coronavirus, some people are worried every time someone coughs.
"It’s kind of funny because they’re like 'Ooo my God coronavirus.' But last week I was working and they were like it’s better for you to just go home," Laura Ariza said.
Ariza tried to explain that she's a seasonal allergy sufferer. She said being in public with the sniffles is awkward as COVID-19 concerns loom.
"I kind of know my body, and I take an allergy pill and keep going," Ariza said, "You have to be careful with everything that’s going on, but I also feel that there’s people overreacting a little bit."
Tourist Rich Bauerle feels COVID-19 has been blown out of proportion too. "You hear about the flu, and how bad that is, and you’re like ooo that’s really a bigger issue than the coronavirus I would think."
Dr. Megan Stauffer at The Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center in Mt. Juliet said people with allergies will have itchy eyes and congestion. She said people with allergies will not have the acute fatigue that comes with the coronavirus.
"We are just starting to record some tree pollen, and it is only going to get worse over the next month to two," Dr. Stauffer said, "With the COVID-19 and the flu, they’re going to feel really bad."
Other symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, shortness of breath, and a cough.
So if someone sniffles, it's possible it's just allergies, not the coronavirus.
"Just wash your hands and just keep going," Ariza said.
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COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
