Coronavirus symptoms: Is it COVID-19 or allergies or something else?

Coronavirus screening: Geisinger Holy Spirit Urgent Care

Geisinger Holy Spirit is building a tented area outside the Spirit Urgent Care center in Camp Hill so that patients who may have symptoms related to coronavirus COVID-19 can be examimed there. March 16, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Pennsylvania has at least 185 identified cases of coronavirus as of Thursday morning. One person in the state has died, and the government said others are hospitalized.

Most people who are sickened with the new coronavirus, called COVID-19, suffer mild symptoms and recover, particularly if they’re healthy adults or children, the World Health Organization says.

Those with underlying health conditions and older adults are at greater risk of serious illness, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms can mimic the flu and seasonal allergies.

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop symptoms, you should call your doctor. If you don’t have a doctor, call a hospital.

Symptoms, per the CDC and the Mayo Clinic:

Coronavirus

  • Fever.
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Emergency symptoms: Persistent pain or pressure in the chest; new confusion or inability to arouse; bluish lips or face

Flu

  • Maybe a fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches and headaches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue

Cold

  • Similar to flu symptoms, but much milder

Allergies

  • Itchy, watery eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing

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