Symptoms and effects

The most frequent symptoms of hay fever are the rhinitis (runny nose) and conjunctivitis (red, irritated eyes). Typical symptoms are runny or stuffy nose and frequent sneezing. The bronchial mucous membranes are also often affected. This leads to coughing and sometimes even shortness of breath or allergic asthma.

Sinus infections can also result from hay fever. A sinus infection occurs when the nose is so stuffed that it affects the flow of mucous, and therefore the transportation of harmful bacteria out of the respiratory system. Symptoms of a sinus infection include a "stuffed-up" feeling in the head; head pain when leaning forward; tiredness; irritability; coughing in the night; and sore throat.

Patients with hay fever are three times more likely to develop chronic asthma than those who do not suffer from hay fever.

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