That tickle in your throat, is it COVID-19 or allergies?

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- We’re still in the thick of allergy season, and in today's world, every sneeze or cough may have you wondering if you have COVID-19.

Dr. Chris Thompson, an allergist at Aspire Allergy Colorado, says there are some ways to differentiate between allergy symptoms and symptoms of COVID-19.

He says the major differentiator between the two is a fever, but he admits there is still an overlap in symptoms.

"If you have a mild case of COVID-19, you could have a dry cough and no fever, so it can be very difficult to tell,” says Dr. Thompson.

But usually, those with a history of seasonal allergies know what a flareup feels like and what symptoms go along with them.

“Most people know to expect bad symptoms between now and when the weather gets cold," says Thompson. "Itchy eyes, watery eyes, those are the hallmark markers of allergies.”

But Thompson says there are some distinguishing red flags, you need to look out for.

“Fever chills and body aches, are not going to be associated with allergies,” says Dr. Thompson.

If you are still on the fence and are showing only mild symptoms, there are other options you can resort to.

“You could experiment a bit by trying some of the over-the-counter allergy medications,” says Dr. Thompson. "Obviously, if you get better with that, you can have more confidence that you are dealing with allergic symptoms.”

Dr. Thompson says for any medical issues, especially those that include a fever, your best option is still to contact your physician or get tested.