The 11 symptoms that indicate Covid not hay fever as 'Nimbus' variant hits UK

Wales Online

17-06-2025

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Symptoms can differentiate a Covid infection from hay fever, despite some signs of these conditions overlapping. There are distinct ways to tell them apart.
This year has seen millions across Britain grappling with the annoyance of hay fever symptoms as the Met Office reports "very high" pollen counts in certain areas. Hay fever is triggered by an allergic reaction to airborne allergens like pollen, often leading to sneezing, a blocked nose, headaches, and even loss of smell which overlap with COVID-19 indicators.
Dr Luke Powles, an associate clinical director at Bupa, stated: "Despite Hay fever being more common during the spring and summer, some people are affected by pollen from March to September. This can make it harder to tell if sniffs and sneezes are being caused by an allergy or an infection such as coronavirus."
A concern for many is the spread of a new Covid variant known as NB. 1.8.1 (or Nimbus) throughout the UK. As per data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), hospital admissions for Covid have jumped by nearly 10 percent with 947 patients admitted in the week ending May 31, reports Surrey Live.
However, there are ways to distinguish hay fever from Covid. The main sign to look for is a high temperature, which occurs when someone has coronavirus but not hay fever.
The NHS says this means "you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)". It can also cause shivering.
Dr Powles noted that a temperature is "not likely" to occur with hay fever. He explained: "Although a blocked nose due to hay fever can affect your sense of smell or taste, completely losing your ability to taste or smell is more likely to result from coronavirus."
Furthermore, Covid tends to make the affected person feel more unwell in general. "Hay fever symptoms aren't usually serious and, generally, you won't feel too ill," he added.
In contrast, Covid can be severe in some cases, with symptoms lasting weeks, months, or even years in the case of long Covid. According to the NHS, "The symptoms [of Covid] are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.
"Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover." Additionally, Covid can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, which are not typically associated with hay fever.
These symptoms include feeling or being sick and experiencing diarrhoea. If you suspect you have Covid, it is recommended to stay at home and avoid contact with others if you or your child have symptoms and either:
Have a high temperature
Do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or engage in normal activities
The NHS advises that you can resume "normal activities" when you feel better or no longer have a high temperature.
Common symptoms of hay fever include:
Sneezing and coughing
A runny or blocked nose
Itchy, red or watery eyes
Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
Loss of smell
Pain around the sides of your head and your forehead
Headache
Feeling tired
Symptoms of Covid can include:
A high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
Shortness of breath
Feeling tired or exhausted
An aching body
A headache
A sore throat
A blocked or runny nose
Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea
Feeling sick or being sick
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