While allergies and Swine Flu are two completely different kettles of fish, they do have some symptoms that are similar. The ones that are especially worrisome to me, as an acute allergy sufferer, are the cough, fatigue, runny nose, and occasional sore throat. My problem is that most of these symptoms apply to me at some point during the peak of allergy season.

This possibility of my allergies masking Swine Flu symptoms really had me worried. I mean, how am I supposed to know if my nose is runny because I’ve contracted the evil piggy virus or because my neighbor mowed his lawn? So being me, teacher training about to kick in here, I decided to do some research. I flitted over to the CDC website and a few other government sites and realized that I probably don’t have a lot to worry about.

The fatigue associated with Swine Flu is more like the fatigue you’d have with any other flu strain. This is very different from the rundown feeling you get with an allergy flare-up, at least in my experience. Also, there is usually a fever with Swine Flu which allergies don’t cause. For those who are especially worried (you can join my club, because I really do worry about germs) you can always check the outbreak map at the CDC. They show what states have reported cases. I’m lucky enough to live in a state with no reported cases (yet) so that makes me feel a bit more secure.

Which leads to the next question of what will I do when my state does have reported cases of Swine Flu. Well, if my symptoms are the exact same as every other time my allergies have acted up I probably won’t do anything differently at all. But, if my symptoms are worse or at all different I’ll call my doctor.

Do you worry that you won’t be able to tell if you contract Swine Flu because of the severity of your allergy symptoms?

Photo Credit: Brent and MariLynn

I almost always have a case of the sniffles or sneezes, even on my allergy medication. It is nowhere near as bad as it was in my pre-medicine days, but nevertheless constantly present. Now when I go into a store and sniffle a little bit I notice people looking at me a little different. Almost like they think I might have the plague. Of course, that’s because it is possible that I am carrying something contagious that is being reported as potentially deadly. Just because I know I don’t have Swine Flu, doesn’t mean they know I don’t have it.

I’m tempted to explain to everyone who hears me sniffle, that it really is ok and that I’ve had allergies for as long as I’ve been breathing. Unfortunately, I don’t think most people want to get close enough to hear me explain. You know, just in case. The sad thing is I totally understand. If I hear a cough or a sneeze or a hoarse throat I want to spray the person down with Lysol and take a dip in some Purel. This isn’t a rational reaction, I know that. But it is a common reaction. So what’s a girl with seasonal allergies to do? Not to mention a girl who is also afraid of catching the Swine Flu, or any other crazy bug that happens to be lying around.

What I do is mostly avoid people, especially now. I know people are worried and my sniffles might make it worse so I’m not going to stores or business very much during the day. I go shopping at night at one of the 24 hour stores or order online. Of course I’m not just doing it for the people who think my allergies are Swine Flu, I’m also doing it because I don’t want other peoples germs. Paranoid is my middle name, too. That’s probably why I don’t mind those sideways glances and abrupt retreats when people see me with Kleenex.

Has anyone ever mistaken your allergies for Swine flu, or other contagious illness? What do you do when people shy away from you just because of your seasonal allergies?

Photo Credit: jere-me