Verified on 05/02/2024 by Alexane Flament, Editor
Spring is a season conducive to allergies and the spread of viruses responsible for many benign ENT diseases. Here are 6 diseases you can catch in spring.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis
It is also called the hay fever. This is a seasonal allergy most often linked to pollen production: from February to April for tree pollen, from May to July for grass pollen, and from August to October for herbaceous pollen.
The allergic rhinitis seasonal causes symptoms similar to those of a viral cold: frequent sneezing, runny nose, tingling in the nose and throat, red and swollen eyes, watery eyes. There is no fever.
Allergic rhinitis is said to be intermittent if it lasts less than 4 weeks. It is said to be persistent if it lasts more than 4 consecutive weeks.
A cold
In spring, we also observe a significant circulation of human rhinoviruses, responsible for the vast majority of colds.
The main symptoms are nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, mucus buildup, and in some cases, low-grade fever. Colds last no more than a week.
Conjunctivitis
The conjunctivitis may be linked to the presence of a virus or bacteria in the eye. This infection results in clear and limpid or, on the contrary, thick and purulent discharge from the eye, stuck eyelids upon waking, increased tearing, blurred vision or discomfort when exposed to light.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis often follows nasopharyngitis. It corresponds to inflammation of the facial sinuses linked to a virus or bacteria.
This inflammation causes significant nasal congestion with clear or purulent discharge from both nostrils, a feeling of heaviness under the eyes and on the forehead, headaches and fever.
Asthma
In spring, allergic rhinitis can cause complications, including asthma. In people with asthma, periods of pollination may worsen asthma.
This is why it is sometimes necessary to reinforce the treatment even before the arrival of spring.
Lyme disease
The sunny days are back, and so are walks in nature! Be careful when walking in the forest or through tall grass because you could cross the path of ticks, parasitic insects that can transmit Lyme disease.
The Lyme disease first appears (not always) as a circular-shaped rash (erythema migrans) at the site of the tick bite. Early symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, etc.
If left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system.
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