Back to School! COVID-19 VS Allergies – Cetirizine

As children gear up to go back to school (or even prepare for NTI), many parents have COVID-19 on their minds. PharmDToYou wants to remind you all that fall season is arriving which means many of us will suffer from allergy symptoms (if we haven’t been already). We want to make sure you know the difference between COVID-19 and allergy symptoms to help you care for your child.

According to the CDC’s website, common symptoms that are shared between COVID-19 and seasonal allergies include cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (usually only if a person has a respiratory condition such as asthma), fatigue, headache, sore throat, congestion and/or runny nose.

Most often, if itchy or watery eyes and sneezing are involved, this is a sign of seasonal allergies.

More common symptoms for COVID-19 include fever and chills, muscle and body aches, new loss of taste or smell, nausea and/or vomiting, and diarrhea.

Keep in mind you can have seasonal allergies and COVID-19 (you can contract the COVID-19 virus while suffering from seasonal allergies) but so far no evidence suggests having seasonal allergies makes you more likely to contract COVID-19. If you are curious about who is at increased risk of severe illness if they contract COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website (click this link).

To help out parents during this difficult time, PharmDToYou created some tables to help you determine dosing over-the-counter medications for your kiddos if they are showing symptoms of allergies (and some other indications listed). Also, be aware of the “Important Notes” section.

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We will start today with Cetirizine, brand name Zyrtec.

Facts:

1. Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is an allergy medication that can be used for children as young as 6 months old.
2. Many formulations are available (see table) and typically inexpensive.
3. The most common side effects include drowsiness (2-4% in children) and headache (10% in children).
4. You can typically see changes in symptoms within 20-60 minutes (especially hives).

Important Notes:

1. You do not need to use the brand name Zyrtec to get the full effect.
2. Watch the solution concentration – it is usually 5mg/5mL so for a 5mg dose you use 5mL. For a 2.5mg dose you use 2.5mL and for a 10mg dose, use 10mL.
3. Do not use a teaspoon, use an oral syringe or dosing cup for accurate dosage.
4. Call your pharmacist or physician if your child is suffering from one of these indications but is less than 6 months old.

Reference: Cetirizine. Lexi-Drugs. Lexicomp. Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Riverwoods, IL.  Available at:  http://online.lexi.com.  Accessed August 19, 2020

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