Hay fever not good for exams

Poor performance in school and university exams could be linked to hay fever, according to a quoted study.

"According to a study... [in the United Kingdom] teenagers suffering from hay fever were 40 percent more likely to drop a grade between their mock and final exams compared to their peers who were not affected by the seasonal ailment," Dr Michael Levin, allergy advisor at Pharma Dynamics, said on Thursday.

This figure rose to 70 percent when they were treated with sedating antihistamine drugs, a statement quoting Levin added.

A second study, also in the UK, found that during grass pollen season those with hay fever scored lower on concentration tests.

Levin said this was cause for concern as South Africa's grass pollen season coincided with school and university exams.

This could lead to "a usually strong academic learner suddenly producing a lower standard of work".

Levin advised hay fever sufferers to seek widely available non-sedating medication, in accordance with international guidelines.