After more than two years of Covid we are all very conscious that the symptoms of the virus have changed since it first spread across the world in early 2020.
Until earlier this year the law compelled people to self isolate and get tested if they developed certain ailments. With the withdrawal of much of the free testing available it is both harder to measure the state of the virus and for people to understand what exactly is causing their runny nose or sore throat.
However this time of year many people are suffering from their usual bout of hay fever. Tree pollen occurs first, typically from late March to mid-May, and affects around 25% of people. Most people are allergic to grass pollen (which actually has two peaks) and the season lasts from mid-May until July. Weed pollen can be released at any time but the season typically covers the end of June to September according to the Met Office.
