I've Got The (Hay) Fever

It's that time of year, again. Every year as far as I can remember, around my birthday towards the end of August, I get to experience fall allergies.

I've always known it as Hay Fever. That's what my parents said it was, so that's what I call it. I guess the technical term for it is Allergic Rhinitis. It usually begins with a sneeze or two, and then more frequently. That is followed by a runny nose and watery eyes.

Well, I think Hay Fever is hitting me early this year, because I'm beginning to sneeze more that normal. I can imagine people around me will ask if I'm have Covid-19 symptoms, because, why not. Well no, it's just allergies. I've taken over the counter medicine to try to keep it in check and sometimes it works a bit, and other times it has no effect.

Even though Hay Fever has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, there have been a few years that I didn't have any symptoms. I had hoped that maybe I had outgrown the allergy, but then the next year, it greets me as if to say "Happy Birthday, Don! Here's your annual present from me. Enjoy!"

And Hay Fever remains with me until the first few times we get a frost around the middle to late October. That means every year I was in school, I got to feel like crap. Trying to pay attention in class as I'm sneezing with a runny nose and watery eyes was a challenge.

I know I'm not alone. Millions of people have to deal with this allergy also. Fortunately for me, I don't get seasonal allergies in the spring like a couple of my co-workers do. Once a year is bad enough, but having to go through it twice a year has to be unbearable. Excuse me, I've got to sneeze.