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While sneezing is not a definitive symptom of COVID-19, some people infected with the Delta variant have complained of sneezing
While sneezing is not a definitive symptom of COVID-19, some people infected with the Delta variant have complained of sneezing. Sneezing is common in other conditions such as the common cold, flu, or allergies.
According to the CDC, some of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
What causes sneezing?
Sneezing is the body’s way of expelling irritants that interact with the thin lining or mucous membrane of nasal passage or throat. Sneezing can be a symptom of the following conditions:
- Common cold
- Flu
- Allergies
- Breathing in irritants such as dust or chemicals
When to get tested for COVID-19
Although sneezing is not a definitive symptom of COVID-19, you should get tested for the virus if you experience accompanying symptoms such as:
- Sore throat
- Fever higher than 100 F for more than 3 days
- Severe chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of smell and taste
While you can buy over-the-counter COVID-19 tests from your local pharmacy to test at home, the best way to detect COVID-19 is to get tested at your doctor’s office. Your doctor may use two types of tests:
- Viral tests: Viral tests use samples from the nose or mouth. There are two types of viral tests:
- Rapid tests
- Laboratory tests
- Antibody tests: An antibody test can detect antibodies to COVID-19 in your blood.
How to protect others from getting sick if you are sneezing
When you sneeze, the droplets may contain coronavirus or other viruses and spread to other people. According to the CDC, you can prevent the spread of infection by:
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbows while coughing or sneezing
- Turning your face away from people while sneezing or coughing
- Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after coughing or sneezing
- Using an alcohol-based sanitizer if washing with soap and water is not feasible
- Maintaining social distancing
- Wearing mask that covers your mouth and nose to prevent transmission of the virus to people around you
When to seek medical attention
Sneezing rarely causes serious issues that need medical attention. However, if you experience symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, contact a doctor: