A blossoming palo verde tree.
It is springtime allergy season in Southern Arizona and experts say some of the respiratory issues it brings are like those of the novel coronavirus.
But they also note there are major differences.
Doctors say a high fever and a cough that comes from the lungs are symptoms of the coronavirus. Sneezing, a stuffy nose, and a cough that comes from a tickle in the throat are all signs of allergy season.
Banner Health allergy expert Tara Carr emphasizes anyone who's suffered from allergies in the past should be able to tell the difference.
“These symptoms are predictable and reproducible, each year so people will be able to recognize that this is what is causing it and this what they had previously," she said.
Doctors add eye symptoms are also an indicator of allergies versus coronavirus. People with allergies triggered by springtime pollen have itchy, watery eyes. Patients dealing with coronavirus have less eye discomfort and more digestive-related symptoms.
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