Is it COVID? Flu? Allergies? 3 things to know

Know the symptoms

Sneezing, coughing or feeling feverish? Here are some common symptoms and what to look for.

Colds vs. allergies: Colds typically last three-10 days, while allergy symptoms can stick around for weeks or months. Itchy, watery eyes are rare with a cold but are common with allergies. A dry cough with wheezing is more likely an allergy, while a wet cough with mucus is more likely a cold.

Allergies vs. COVID-19: Allergies are more likely to cause itchy, watery eyes. Allergies don’t tend to cause fever or body aches, and they typically do not cause coughing, except in cases where there is a lot of nasal drainage. If you have allergies, stay on top of your treatment to prevent symptoms from getting worse.

Flu vs. COVID-19: Both can cause fever, cough and fatigue, but the flu is more likely to come with a high fever, severe headaches and body aches. COVID-19 symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after exposure and may come with a loss of taste and smell. If you're unsure, take a COVID-19 test—especially if you’re at a higher risk for severe illness.

Manage your symptoms

Consider over-the-counter medications or home remedies: For colds and allergies, try over-the-counter medications and home remedies like rest, hydration and humidifiers to improve symptoms. For flu symptoms, pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and relieve body aches.

Call your health care provider: If you have severe symptoms or are unsure about your diagnosis, contact a health care provider for guidance.

Prevent the spread of infection

Get vaccinated: The best prevention from flu and severe COVID-19 symptoms is getting vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting a flu vaccine once it’s available, ideally by the end of October.

Take a COVID-19 test: If you're unsure about your symptoms, take a test to rule out COVID-19.

Know when to return to normal activities: If you have the flu or COVID-19, the CDC advises waiting until your symptoms are improved and you haven’t had a fever (and aren't taking fever-reducing medication) for at least 24 hours.

Take added precautions: For the next five days after returning to normal activities, take extra steps to prevent the spread of infection.

• Improve air quality with ventilation or air purifiers.
• Practice good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing and cleaning surfaces.
• Wear a mask when around others indoors.

We’re here to help

The flu and COVID-19 vaccines are covered with no out-of-pocket cost for most Regence members. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting vaccinated.

If you get sick and need care, call your doctor. Consider virtual care or an urgent care clinic before heading to the hospital emergency department (ED). EDs will cost you more and may be extremely busy so wait times could be long. Visit regence.com for help finding the right care option.