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 heads up the UCT Lung Institute’s Allergy and Immunology Unit says the Coronavirus could make allergy sufferers hyperaware of every sneeze and sniffle as some symptoms overlap.
“Hay fever is activated by airborne allergens, such as pollen, which leads to a runny and itchy nose, scratchy throat, as well as allergic conjunctivitis in the eyes. While COVID-19 and hay fever share certain symptoms, there are some key differences.
In COVID-19, fevers, body aches and headache are common, but these are rarely associated with seasonal allergies.
In contrast, an itchy nose or eyes and sneezing signal allergy symptoms and are not common in Coronavirus infections.
“Shared symptoms may include a runny nose or nasal congestion, an intermittent cough, sore throat and fatigue. In asthmatics, very high pollen counts may trigger exacerbations with shortness of breath or difficulty breathing in some individuals. Fortunately, Coronavirus does not commonly trigger worsening asthma. If your symptoms do worsen, it’s advisable to consult your doctor especially if you have a known sensitivity to pollen.
“It’s also likely to have symptoms of both COVID-19 and seasonal allergies at the same time, which will affect each person differently.”
SA’s pollen seasons vary across the country’s biomes, which is why the UCT Lung Institute is trying to establish pollen monitoring stations in all the provinces. Pollen allergy sufferers who are allergic to both trees and grasses usually have the toughest time in September and October as it’s the time of year when grass and tree pollen overlaps. That means a double dose of misery for people who are allergic to both. The grass pollen season can last for up to nine months of the year in certain parts of the country like the highveld, which only comes to an end in May.
Prof Peter says as pollen levels rise it’s important to continue managing your allergies during the pandemic with appropriate antihistamines, corticosteroid nasal sprays and inhalers.
One of the main reasons to monitor pollen levels in SA is international data that suggests pollen seasons are becoming longer and more intense due to climate change (warmer temperatures cause plants to begin producing and releasing pollen earlier, making hay fever seasons longer). Air pollution is also increasing, which further aggravates allergy symptoms from pollen and fungal spores.
“As COVID-19 is likely to be with us for a long time, it’s important to learn about the risks and how to keep allergies under control to prevent asthma episodes. There has never been a more important time to know what is in the air we are breathing.”
If you are among the 17.5 million South Africans that suffer from nasal allergies, visit www.pollencount.co.za for the latest pollen counts countrywide to help you better manage your condition during the pollen season.
Also visit www.saaqis.environment.gov.za for real-time information on air pollution across South Africa.