Allergies and Covid-19

THE LATTER PART OF THE YEAR TYPICALLY SIGNALS THE ARRIVAL OF THE

POLLEN SEASON, WHICH THIS YEAR, COULD PROVE MORE TROUBLESOME DURING

THE PANDEMIC, AS TREE POLLEN COUNTS START TO SURGE THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE COUNTRY.

Prof Jonny Peter, who commonly trigger worsening nasal sprays and inhalers. heads up the UCT asthma. If your symptoms One of the main reasons Lung Institute’s Allergy and do worsen, it’s advisable to to monitor pollen levels in Immunology Unit says the consult your doctor espe- SA is international data that Coronavirus could make cially if you have a known suggests pollen seasons allergy sufferers hyperaware sensitivity to pollen. are becoming longer and of every sneeze and sniffle “It’s also likely to more intense due to climate as some symptoms overlap. have symptoms of both change (warmer tempera-

“Hay fever is activated COVID-19 and seasonal tures cause plants to begin by airborne allergens, such allergies at the same time, producing and releasing as pollen, which leads to which will affect each pollen earlier, making hay a runny and itchy nose, person differently.” fever seasons longer). Air scratchy throat, as well as SA’s pollen seasons vary pollution is also increasing, allergic conjunctivitis in across the country’s bi- which further aggravates althe eyes. While COVID-19 omes, which is why the UCT lergy symptoms from pollen and hay fever share certain Lung Institute is trying to and fungal spores. symptoms, there are some establish pollen monitoring “As COVID-19 is likely to key differences. stations in all the provinces. be with us for a long time,

In COVID-19, fevers, Pollen allergy sufferers who it’s important to learn about body aches and headache are allergic to both trees and the risks and how to keep are common, but these grasses usually have the allergies under control to are rarely associated with toughest time in September prevent asthma episodes. seasonal allergies. and October as it’s the time There has never been a

In contrast, an itchy nose of year when grass and tree more important time to or eyes and sneezing signal pollen overlaps. That means know what is in the air we allergy symptoms and are a double dose of misery are breathing.” not common in Coronavirus for people who are allergic If you are among the 17.5 infections. to both. The grass pollen million South Africans that

“Shared symptoms may season can last for up to suffer from nasal allergies, include a runny nose or nine months of the year in visit www.pollencount. nasal congestion, an inter- certain parts of the country co.za for the latest pollen mittent cough, sore throat like the highveld, which only counts countrywide to and fatigue. In asthmatics, comes to an end in May. help you better manage very high pollen counts Prof Peter says as pollen your condition during the may trigger exacerbations levels rise it’s important pollen season. with shortness of breath to continue managing Also visit www.saaqis. or difficulty breathing in your allergies during the environment.gov.za for real some individuals. Fortu- pandemic with appropriate time information on air polnately, Coronavirus does not antihistamines, corticosteroid lution across South Africa.