Hayfever season wreaks havoc
With an estimated half a million Australians taking time off from work each year due to the severity of their hay fever symptoms, a new single, cross-sectional survey sponsored by sanofi-aventis, suggests an influx of Spring-time ‘sickies’ over the coming months and decreased work productivity across the nation.
Examining the impact of hay fever on the working and social lives of Australian hay fever sufferers, the Telfast Spring Survey(1) highlights the significant impact of this common, but often underestimated condition, with approximately 3 in 5 Australians admitting their hay fever symptoms affect work productivity.
“More than one in three Australians reported suffering from hay fever, so that’s a significant proportion of the working population,” said Sydney University’s Professor Peter Carroll. With a reported average of 11.3 allergic hay fever episodes per year, Professor Carroll admits, “While the condition isn’t life threatening, there is clearly a need to address hay fever in terms of personal health and the health of the economy.”
However, hay fever sufferers shouldn’t expect sympathy from non-suffering colleagues and bosses, with more than one in two non-sufferers claiming hay fever is not a valid excuse for lost productivity and 14 per cent of non-sufferers also believing that those with hay fever exaggerate a lot about their hay fever symptoms.
It seems employers should not be too worried though, as while 14 per cent of sufferers have taken time off work, the real casualty for Australian hay fever sufferers is their personal life where one in five have taken a romantic dive and avoided intimacy, despite protests from only 2 in 5 non-suffering partners who see blaming hay fever for the lack of libido as a valid excuse.
“Hay fever can be debilitating and while many associate hay fever with a runny nose, red eyes and sneezing, the more serious side of the condition such as sleep deprivation can lead to tiredness, irritability and problems with concentration” said Professor Carroll.
Furthermore, despite Spring signalling football finals and the beginning of the cricket season, more than 1 in 3 hay fever sufferers have taken a ‘drinks break’. For example, they have avoided outdoor social or sporting events, drinks with friends, due to hay fever.
“Unlike colds or flu which can strike anyone, hay fever sufferers know they are at high risk of experiencing symptoms during the peak times and also know what is likely to cause their symptoms, even if the triggers are difficult to avoid. It is alarming that one quarter of sufferers reported doing nothing to treat their condition.” said Professor Carroll.
“Hay fever is best treated by avoiding the triggers of hay fever, such as grass, flowers and tree pollens, and using a combination of a tablet for immediate relief and a nasal spray for long term reduction of hay fever symptoms may help in difficult cases. Australian hay fever sufferers should speak to their pharmacist about the best treatment options for them,” said Professor Carroll.
Hay fever (or ‘seasonal allergic rhinitis’) is an allergic reaction that occurs due to a high level of sensitivity in the nose to allergens. The term rhinitis means 'inflammation of the nose', while allergic means 'normal but exaggerated response towards something’(2).
* Galaxy Research (2007) Hay fever Study, prepared a single, cross-sectional survey sponsored by sanofi aventis. The survey was conducted from June 29 to July 1, 2007. There were 1100 respondents aged 16 years or older distributed throughout Australia, of which 34% reported to have suffered hayfever in the past 12 months. Interviews were conducted using computer assisted telephone interviewing with telephone numbers randomly selected from electronic white pages.
References
1. Telfast Spring Survey conducted by Galaxy Research, July 2007.
2. Health Insite’ Virtual Allergy Centre ‘Allergic Rhinitis - Hay fever’ June 2007.
