Hay Fever: Symptoms & Signs

Medically Reviewed on 10/21/2020

Hay fever is a term that describes a seasonal allergic reaction to airborne particles such as pollen. The medical term for hay fever is allergic rhinitis. Hay fever is a common condition that affects up to 30% of the population.

Signs and symptoms of hay fever include a

Other associated symptoms and signs can include

Loss of the sense of taste also may be present.

Cause of hay fever

Hay does not actually cause hay fever, and hay fever does not produce a fever, so the term is a misnomer.

Other hay fever symptoms and signs

  • Breathing Through the Mouth or Wheezing
  • Coughing
  • Earache
  • Eye Redness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Itchy Eyes
  • Loss of Sense of Smell
  • Loss of the Sense of Taste
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Post-Nasal Drip
  • Puffy Eyes
  • Runny Nose with Clear Mucus
  • Sneezing
  • Throat Irritation
  • Watery Eyes

QUESTION

Allergies can best be described as: See Answer

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References
Jameson, J. Larry, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 20th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.