Spring is here and that means allergy season. The pollen is starting to kick in from the pollen in oak, pine, and maple trees. Of course, all of this as we still deal with the pandemic. Now, I don't know about you but if I'm being honest I must admit that whenever I get ANYTHING that isn't normal for my health these days, I instantly assume that I have COVID. Yes, I know it's irrational, but I know many of us to feel that way. The feeling doesn't last long. I calm down and go about my day. And I have wicked Spring allergies, so I know I will be wondering if my allergies are really allergies. The CDC has some great advice when figuring out which is which. Of course, you should always contact your doctor if you have any concerns.

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To help explain the difference we have some useful charts. I always like a good Venn diagram:

Maine CDC
Maine CDC
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The CDC also has the answers to common questions about allergies and COVID. We have reprinted two of the big ones here: 

Does having seasonal allergies increase my risk of getting COVID or making my COVID symptoms worse if I do contract the virus?

There is not enough scientific information at this time to know whether having seasonal allergies puts you at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 or having more severe symptoms if you do contract COVID-19. We do know that older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like obesity, diabetes, or heart or lung disease are at higher risk for developing more serious complications when they have COVID-19.

 

Will I be more protected from seasonal allergies if I wear a mask? 

Masks also offer some protection against seasonal allergies because they can prevent some larger particles from being inhaled. However, if you have seasonal allergies, masks should not be your only protection against pollen exposure because smaller particles can still get through the covering and be inhaled.

Wash your masks after each use, particularly if you suffer from seasonal allergies, because the covering may carry particles such as pollen.

 

GET MORE INFORMATION ON SEASONAL ALLERGIES AND COVID FROM THE CDC HERE

 

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Here's another useful chart from the CDC

Maine CDC
Maine CDC
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GET MORE INFORMATION ON SEASONAL ALLERGIES AND COVID FROM THE CDC HERE

 

Get Portland's 5-Day Pollen Forecast

 

 

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.

 

 

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