Chapter 1: Clinical Overview
Hay fever is the common name for the medical condition allergic rhinitis.
Hay fever is an allergic response by the patient’s immune system to external allergens which trigger the reaction.
Hay fever affects approximately 20% of people and can vary from mild symptoms to having a significant impact on a person’s life.
Hay fever is an immune response and not an infection by a virus or bacteria, therefore it is not contagious and cannot be spread to other people.
Sometimes a secondary bacterial infection can occur overtime and this will need referral to a doctor.
