Does hay fever give you a cough? How to tell symptoms apart from coronavirus

As the weather gets warmer and summer approaches, hay fever sufferers are having to cope with more pollen in the air.

But could coughing be a sign of hayfever, and as coronavirus sticks around, how can you tell it apart from allergy symptoms?

What is hay fever?

Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergies, tends to flare up between late March and September according to the NHS, as this is when it’s warm, humid, windy and when pollen count is at its highest.

Healthline says: “When your body is exposed to allergens, it releases histamines.

“Histamines are meant to protect you from harm, but they can also cause the allergy symptoms that make some seasons uncomfortable.”

Hay fever and its symptoms are not contagious for those around you.

Is coughing a symptom of hay fever?

Hay fever comes with a lot of different symptoms, one of which is a cough.

Other symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Runny or blocked nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
• Loss of smell
• Pain around your temples and forehead
• Headache
• Earache
• Feeling tired

The NHS says that if you also suffer from asthma, you might also experience:

• A tight feeling in your chest
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing and coughing

How do I tell the difference between hay fever and coronavirus?

With hay fever and coronavirus having overlapping symptoms, like coughing, loss of smell and headaches, some people might get confused about what their symptoms mean.

Most hay fever sufferers are affected from childhood, and will probably be expecting their symptoms every year around the same time.