As Allergy season blossoms, Springfield-Greene County Health Department is set to roll out daily pollen counts in the area. These regular updates will continue throughout the year until the first freeze occurs.
Samples of spores and pollen are collected Monday through Friday daily. Findings for the previous day are documented at 8 a.m. and reported on the City’s website around 10:30 a.m. Details, including a breakdown of the pollen data and count, are also present.
In particular, Juniper trees today have a moderate amount of pollen present on them. It uses the National Allergy Bureau (NAB) raking system to determine the number of grains of pollen or mold spores in the air per cubic meter.
The health department issues reports on pollen counts to help the public be aware of airborne allergens in the area. With allergies being one of the most chronic conditions globally, they can produce symptoms commonly found in other respiratory illnesses such as influenza and COVID-19.
Symptoms of allergies include:
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Fatigue
A sinus rinse is an effective way to flush out allergens should chronic sneezing occur. Symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell are unlikely to be caused by allergies and could be the result of a virus. In a press release, the City recommends contacting a health care provider and seek testing for COVID if symptoms like these persist. To schedule an appointment, visit COVIDTesting417.com.
