Spring is in the air – and so is pollen.

    While Jackson has been ranked among the Top 10 worst allergy cities in the U.S. in recent years (No. 1 in 2013 and No. 6 in 2014), Meridian is high among the ranks of cities statewide.

    “There seems to be a band from up around Knoxville through Chattanooga, Birmingham and over to Jackson where all those cities end up on the top lists for bad spring and fall pollen seasons. So we’re (Meridian) right in the middle of that, and we do get our share of pollen around here,” said Dr. Mark Murray, an allergist with Mississippi Asthma and Allergy Clinic.

    This week alone, the Pollen Allergy Forecast for Meridian – according to Pollen.com – is: 10.8, today;  8.4, Wednesday; 7.4, Thursday; and 9.8, Friday. On the scale, 7.3 to 9.6 is considered medium high pollen counts, with 9.7 to 12 considered high.

    More than 35 million Americans suffer from allergies to pollen and mold, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Symptoms include sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose and itchy, watery eyes.

    Sinusitis  – one of the most common health conditions in America for both adults and children – is often a result of the pollen season. While sinusitis and allergies are different, Murray said the two tend to overlap because of symptoms.

    “With sinusitis we’re generally talking about sinus infections – congestion, headache, even some fever, Murray said. “People with allergies can be a little more prone to having sinus infections because their nasal passages are inflamed and irritated, and sometimes that sets you up for infection along the way.”

    For those who suffer with allergies, it’s important to identify what triggers them.

    “Once the triggers have been identified, we treat those so when the infections do roll around they’re not so severe and don’t turn into full blown sinus infections,” Murray said.

    Triggers may include airborne elements such as pollen (tree pollen), dust and pet dander. There are also non-allergic triggers.

    “Some people have a lot of problems with weather changes, which can cause they same type of irritations to the nose and sinuses,” Murray said. “Perfumes and smoke also act as non-allergic triggers that can lead to a lot of the same symptoms.”

    Treatment of sinusitis is determined by its severity.

    If a viral infection is the cause of sinus symptoms, Murray recommends rest, fluids and a decongestant for drainage. For sinus symptoms caused by allergies, over-the-counter antihistamines and intra-nasal steroids can be helpful for some people.

    “Unfortunately, in this area, as bad as our pollens are a lot of people don’t get the relief from those medications that you would hope. That’s where seeing an allergy specialist can be helpful. We can identify what the allergic triggers are and initiate more aggressive therapy, if needed, including allergy shots,” he said.

    Sinus symptoms caused by viral infections should improve in five to seven days.

    For sinusitis resulting from secondary bacterial infections, antibiotics and oral steroids may be necessary to clear symptoms and take care of the infection fully.

    “More severe symptoms and symptoms that are not improving as rapidly as expected will usually require a more aggressive course of treatment,” Murray said. “

    And if you’ve ever wondered if sinusitis is contagious, not exactly, Murray said.

    “What usually happens with sinus infections are you get some type of viral illness that would be just a typical cold that would run its course in a few days and get better,” he said. “But some people after these original viral infections will set up secondary bacterial infection, and that can be due to some of the allergic inflammation or anatomical issues that keep sinuses from draining as they are supposed to. That’s when you set up and get the bacterial infection.

    “You can get secondary bacterial sinus infections. Those are the ones that tend to cause more of the fever, the worsening sinus pressure, congestion and headaches. And those are the ones that we actually do need to take care of with antibiotics. So the bacterial infections aren’t necessarily contagious, but the initial viral infection that set you up for the secondary bacterial infection can be passed along,” Murray said.

Did you know?

    • Each year, more than 12 million doctor’s visits result from allergic rhinitis. Symptoms from seasonal allergies are among the primary reasons people miss school or work.

    • Allergists are the best doctors to diagnose and treat allergies and asthma. Find an allergist in your area at www.aaaai.org.

    • Allergy shots can reduce symptoms in up to 85 percent of patients with seasonal allergies. Ask your allergist if they can work for you.

• Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)