Health Plan of San Joaquin | Focus Your Health | Spring 2021

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes the airways to narrow. This can make it hard to breathe. Sometimes asthma symptoms are mild, but other times symptoms can get worse. When this happens, it could bring on an asthma attack. There is no cure for asthma. But it can be managed well if you learn how to control your asthma. Do you sneeze and sniffle whether or not you feel sick? That could mean you might have allergies. Allergies can affect your eyes, nose, mouth, throat and skin. They are a sign that your immune system is overreacting to an allergen. Some of the most common allergens are plant pollen, mold, dust mites and pet dander. COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness. Although most people who have COVID-19 have mild symptoms, COVID-19 can also cause severe illness and even death. Older adults and people with severe health problems, like heart or lung disease or diabetes, seem to be at a higher risk for getting more serious complications. There is still a lot that is unknown about COVID-19. Symptoms Asthma Allergies COVID-19 Cough Common (can be dry or wet/productive) Rare Common Shortness of breath Common No (unless it triggers asthma) Sometimes Sneezing No* Common No Runny or stuffy nose No* Common Sometimes Sore throat No* Sometimes (usually mild) Sometimes Fever No No Common Chills No No Sometimes Fatigue Sometimes Sometimes Common Headache Rare Sometimes Sometimes Body aches No No Sometimes Diarrhea No No Sometimes Nausea or vomiting No No Sometimes Loss of taste or smell No Rare Sometimes *If you have allergic asthma, you may have symptoms of both asthma and allergies at the same time. Sources: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Which is it: Asthma, allergies or COVID-19? This chart can help you figure out if your symp - toms are from asthma, allergies or COVID-19. 4 Focus Your Health