Is it allergies or COVID?
With many experiencing seasonal allergies, Health Team Director Margee Brennan offers guidance for navigating the overlap in symptoms with those of the coronavirus.
By Margee Brennan, Health Team Director
Back
If the layer of yellow dust on cars isn't evidence enough that we're fully in spring allergy season, then all the sneezing, sniffling, coughing, and watery eyes should make it clear. It seems like the answer is to start up the antihistamines, stay indoors, and just soldier on. Unfortunately, just like we dealt with on a smaller scale in the fall, allergy symptoms during a pandemic make for plenty of confusion.
It's easy to rationalize many allergy symptoms as the usual, whether for yourself or your child. Add in that many of us are vaccinated, or partially so, and it becomes easier to dismiss the notion that these symptoms could be a sign of COVID-19 infection. Still, we are seeing positive coronavirus cases globally, locally, and at USN.
The Venn diagram here illustrates just how much allergies and COVID-19 symptoms overlap, and it may be helpful in determining if a COVID-19 test is in order. Anecdotally, we have seen cases of COVID-19 that present as usual allergy symptoms. The good news is that COVID-19 testing has become more accessible and timely than it was in the fall, so keeping your congested student home for a day may be all it takes to confirm that it's just allergies.
The Metro Public Health assessment centers continue to turn around PCR results in under 24 hours, and since the end of February, USN has offered PCR tests using a local lab with results returned by evening if submitted before noon. The Health Team is happy to help you navigate the question of allergies or COVID-19; we encourage you to email us anytime or call 615-277-7380 during school hours. Thanks for continuing to keep your guard up and do your part to keep the USN community safe. We are not in the clear yet.
It's easy to rationalize many allergy symptoms as the usual, whether for yourself or your child. Add in that many of us are vaccinated, or partially so, and it becomes easier to dismiss the notion that these symptoms could be a sign of COVID-19 infection. Still, we are seeing positive coronavirus cases globally, locally, and at USN.
The Venn diagram here illustrates just how much allergies and COVID-19 symptoms overlap, and it may be helpful in determining if a COVID-19 test is in order. Anecdotally, we have seen cases of COVID-19 that present as usual allergy symptoms. The good news is that COVID-19 testing has become more accessible and timely than it was in the fall, so keeping your congested student home for a day may be all it takes to confirm that it's just allergies.
The Metro Public Health assessment centers continue to turn around PCR results in under 24 hours, and since the end of February, USN has offered PCR tests using a local lab with results returned by evening if submitted before noon. The Health Team is happy to help you navigate the question of allergies or COVID-19; we encourage you to email us anytime or call 615-277-7380 during school hours. Thanks for continuing to keep your guard up and do your part to keep the USN community safe. We are not in the clear yet.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies
The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.Read More -
USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success
For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.Read More -
Middle School Quiz Bowl competes at national championship
The Middle School Quiz Bowl finished off another successful season with a trip to the Middle School National Championship Tournament in Chicago. The team fought hard and ended the season as a top-100 program in the country, finishing 75th overall. Congratulations to the team on a great performance and to Lucas Lupu ’31, named an All Star for being the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.