A surge in Covid cases is leading Britons to mistake three common symptoms for hay fever, with experts warning that Covid can intensify allergy symptoms.
As the new FLiRT variant of Covid continues to spread across the UK, Britons are being encouraged to recognise the difference between common summer hay fever symptoms and those of the infectious strain of the virus that brought the world to a standstill in 2020.
Britons are falling ill due to a nasty virus with hay fever-like symptoms, but it’s actually the infectious FLiRT variant that’s wreaking havoc.
READ MORE: ‘The British don’t have hay fever, they have a deadly new strain of Covid,’ says expert
Click here for the latest Daily Star news.
The illness presents with fever, persistent cough, sore throat, upset stomach, and changes in taste and smell, eerily similar to seasonal allergies.
Dr Rhoads, vice-chair of the Microbiology Committee, told GB News that people infected with the latest FLiRT variants are experiencing some common and well-known symptoms, including fatigue, cough and loss of smell. Bupa stressed that while hay fever can affect smell and taste, complete loss of these senses remains more likely to be a symptom of Covid.
The severity of symptoms is a key indicator. Bupa stresses that if a person has difficulty breathing or a high temperature, it is likely to be COVID. Owen, an expert at the University of Derby, recommends that COVID testing remains the preferred option to distinguish between hay fever and the FLiRT variants, the Mirror reports.
Rebecca Owen, a sport and exercise specialist at the University of Derby, told The Telegraph: “A lot of people have had Covid-19 and infections can make us more susceptible to allergies. They can trigger the immune response in what’s called mast cell activation syndrome, so although further research is needed, it could be that some people who have been infected with Covid can develop hay fever.”
People with a history of hay fever appear to experience more severe symptoms of COVID-19 when they contract the virus. Typical hay fever reactions include itchy or watery eyes, headaches, earaches, loss of sense of smell, and common symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, or a runny or stuffy nose.
Health officials believe the problematic FLiRT Covid variant contributed to a 24% rise in hospital visits last month and now accounts for around 40% of Covid cases in Britain.
Meanwhile, hay fever is on the rise in the UK, with the NHS estimating that around 20% of Britons will experience symptoms this summer. This follows a report in mid-June which recorded a huge 147% rise in the number of people suffering from hay fever and seeking NHS advice.
To receive all the latest breaking news and stories from around the world from the Daily Star, sign up to our newsletter by clicking here here
