Allergy, Cold, Flu, or COVID-19? How To Keep Your Senior Loved One Safe

Distinguishing the difference between the common cold, the flu, and allergies has never been clear-cut. Ever since the arrival of COVID-19 in 2019, distinguishing them apart has only grown more complicated. How do you know when to let an illness run its course or when to seek medical care? Here are some tips to keep in mind as you look out for the well-being of your aging loved one this winter.

Check the Symptoms First

Because some symptoms mirror those of other conditions, the last thing someone wants to do, especially a senior with a compromised immune system, is assume they have one illness when they actually have a different one. That’s because treatments and outcomes can differ sharply for each illness. Not taking the right action or not acting at all can make matters worse and, at the very least, delay or complicate recovery.

Allergies in Older Adults

Many people experience common seasonal irritations, such as runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and sore or scratchy throats. Allergies are the culprit in some cases, but allergic reactions are not just limited to spring or winter. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing usually doesn’t occur with allergies unless one also has a respiratory condition such as asthma triggered by pollen exposure. Seasonal allergy treatments may include antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, decongestants, and avoiding allergen exposure.

Going Viral: Colds, Flu, and COVID-19

Colds, flu, and COVID-19 are all viral-based infections easily transmitted from person to person. The risk of getting sick from cold, flu, or COVID-19 is year-round but higher during fall and winter. Limiting exposure to affected individuals is advisable, but people with these viruses don’t always present symptoms; thus, they may not know they are infected, which makes it difficult to avoid exposure. This is even more reason to eat right, exercise, and practice simple precautions every day.

Is It a Cold or the Flu?

There is no cure for the common cold, so there’s no vaccine to help prevent it and no surefire medical treatment to suppress it. Rather, a cold must run its course. Home remedies and over-the-counter drugs can help alleviate symptoms. Whereas fever and headache are rarely associated with a cold, those symptoms, plus chest discomfort, muscle/body aches, and fatigue, are common with the flu. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also accompany the flu. A severe cough can occur as well. The flu vaccine is an effective deterrent and is highly recommended for seniors. If your older loved one does come down with the flu, their physician may prescribe antiviral drugs. They work best when used early in the illness.

COVID-19 Is Still a Thing

The trouble with recognizing COVID-19 purely by symptoms is that it shares many common features with cold and flu except sneezing. What separates COVID-19 is the loss of taste that usually occurs with it, often without congested nasal passages and the intense chest discomfort that happens in severe cases. People may experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and persistent chest pain or pressure. The latter symptoms can be life-threatening and thus need to be taken seriously and acted on immediately by making an emergency department visit or calling 911.

The only way to know for sure if your aging loved one has COVID-19 is for them to get tested. If they test positive, ensure that they consult their physician, follow any prescribed treatment plan, and self-isolate until they are no longer contagious.

It’s important to note that COVID-19 can cause different complications than flu, such as blood clots, post-COVID-19 conditions, and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. There are antiviral treatments for COVID-19. On the preventive side, COVID-19 vaccines are readily available and proven effective in warding off the disease or lessening its effects.

Guidelines From the National Institutes of Health

Comparing Cold, Flu, Allergies, and COVID-19

*Editor’s Note: Treatment guidelines are evolving. Remdesivir was the only drug approved at the time this was written. Talk with your doctor about currently available medications.

How Seniors Can Avoid a Cold, the Flu, and COVID-19

Staying healthy with so many viral ailments floating around can be a challenge. Even taking all the recommended precautions is no guarantee of not catching something because these respiratory diseases are highly infectious and easily transmittable. However, following some practical strategies can greatly reduce the risk of getting sick. Here are some general prevention tips to follow and how to avoid spreading an illness:

• Get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
• Maintain physical distance from others when inside public spaces.
• When in doubt, wear a face mask in indoor public spaces.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid crowded indoor spaces that have poor airflow or ventilation.
• Improve the airflow in your home by opening windows and using fans to direct air out of windows; air filters are another option; use the exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen; consider investing in a portable air cleaner.
• When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow or a tissue. Discard the used tissue, wash your hands ASAP, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, towels, bedding, and other household items when sick.
• Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, light switches, electronics, counters).
• Stay home from work, school, and public areas if sick, unless seeking medical care; avoid public transportation if sick.

How Seniors Can Boost Their Immune Systems

A strong immune system is one of the best defenses against illness, which is why everyone, especially seniors, should eat a diet rich in nutrients, stay hydrated, and get plenty of sleep to help boost the body’s disease-fighting properties. Here are some immune-boosting foods to incorporate into a diet:

• Fresh garlic
• Citrus fruits
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Almonds
• Yogurt
• Turmeric powder
• Green tea
• Sweet potatoes

Regular exercise, keeping excess weight off, and limiting smoking and alcohol can also help make for a more robust and resilient immune system.

If your senior loved one becomes ill and you’re concerned about how to help them, reach out to their primary care physician. In most cases, you will be able to get reassurance over the phone from the nursing staff and an understanding of how they can be treated at home and what to watch out for should the need for escalation arise.

How Right at Home Can Help

Right at Home’s professionally trained caregivers can help older adults shop for groceries, prepare healthy meals, and incorporate dietary recommendations from health professionals. We follow a five-step process to ensure you get the care needed and the right person to help. Use our office locator to find your local Right at Home office and ask for a FREE in-home consultation.

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