Ragweed allergies show similar symptoms to COVID-19

Ragweed pollen season is here, and symptoms can resemble those of the coronavirus.

Lincoln, Neb. (KLKN) – Ragweed pollen season has arrived in the midst of a pandemic. The plant can produce billions of pollen a year, and shows up around early August.

“The distinction between allergy and COVID-19, a lot of the times can be very hard to make,” CHI Health Dr. Aaron Robinson said.

Symptoms of the allergy can include itchy eyes, nose, ears and throat, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes. Robinson said that one way to tell if you might have coronavirus is a fever. He says a fever does not happen with ragweed allergies.

Robinson urges individuals with ragweed allergies to pay attention if they experience symptoms they’ve never had in previous years.

“The biggest thing to think about is, is this something new for you or is it something that’s not new to you, you have it every year,” he said.

Nasal sprays are one treatment for ragweed pollen. Robinson said wearing a mask can also filter out pollen, and have a positive effect for some people.