It's Just Hay Fever
By Salina Shafi
Immune Insights:
Our immune system works wonders in our bodies. This incredible system is made up of different organs, cells, and chemicals that function to fight different infections and germs. From fighting germs to neutralizing harmful substances, our immune system works hard to ensure our survival. An allergy is when the immune system reacts to a foreign object, whether you are allergic to food or medicine, your immune system is attacking that foreign object! For example, if someone is allergic to dust, then their immune system will identify dust as an unidentified substance. Then, the body will release certain chemicals to fight the unidentified substance.
The following entails the live interview conducted between Salina Shafi and TikTok star, Hay Fever.
What’s the matter... It's Just Hay fever!
Salina Shafi: Today we have Hay Fever with us to answer a few questions about their new profound fame. Have you ever wondered why people use the watery-red eyes filter when doing the “Just Hay Fever,” trend from TikTok? Get your answers today with an expert!
Hay Fever: Hi everybody! It’s so great to be speaking with you all today about…me!
Salina Shafi: So why do people use the watery-eyes filter when talking about Hay Fever?
Hay Fever: It’s because irritation in the eyes is a symptom of hay fever! Not only that, but feeling tired or coughing can also be serious symptoms.
Salina Shafi: Hay Fever, I’ve gotta ask a sensitive question. Are you up to it?
Hay Fever: Yeah, sure what’s up?
Salina Shafi: So, we’ve heard some rumors floating around that you and the Flu are similar… Are you guys related?
Hay Fever: So, it can be difficult to know whether you are going through Hay Fever or a cold because we can give off very similar symptoms. We both cause the individual to have runny roses with some sort of discharge. It’s confusing, but bear with me for a second, I don't actually give the person a fever, I know it’s confusing with the name, but fevers are not a symptom! Many patients experience sinus pressure or congestion, two more symptoms that are also present with the common cold. So, to answer your question, no. We are not the same.
Salina Shafi: I see I touched a nerve there. You had a lot to say there.
Hay Fever: I’ve experienced those misconceptions my entire life. Imagine being mixed up with something like the cold, nasty thing that is.
Salina Shafi: But you guys seem pretty similar, symptoms and all…
Hay Fever: What the @%&#!
Salina Shafi: Alrighty, then we’re getting a bit tense in the studio today. We will be right back after the break.
I’m not like other Allergies!
Salina Shafi: And we are back, here with Hay Fever. We got a bit heated back there, huh Hay Fever?
Hay Fever: What can I say? I’m passionate about people getting the right image about me. The long, long-lasting myth is that I give people fevers, just because I have fever in my name doesn’t mean I give them out like candy.
Salina Shafi: Interesting, how long do you stick around?
Hay Fever: So, I'm not like other allergies. I can be chronic and last for several weeks up to several months.
Salina Shafi: Wait, wait, let’s go back, you’re classified as an allergy?!
Hay Fever: Yes, I am! Talk about another misconception. I am an allergy to pollen, dust, or mold, basically substances that are airborne.
Salina Shafi: Wow, here I was thinking you were similar to the flu…
Hay Fever: Not this again! Depending on the time of year, I can give out worse symptoms. Dust mites are known to be worse around the wintertime, but keep an eye out for tree pollen in the early spring if you have pollen-related allergies! Now, tell me can the flu compete with that?
Salina Shafi: I suppose not.
Hay Fever: It doesn’t end there. Adults are more likely to be diagnosed with hay fever rather than children. In the United States of America, in the last 12 months, 19.2 million adults over the age of 18 have been diagnosed with hay fever while only 5.2 million children under the age of 18 have been diagnosed with hay fever. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2021) Millions and millions of people suffer through Hay Fever symptoms. So, watch out big boys, girls, and people, I won’t be gone for long.
Salina Shafi: Wow, you’re pretty popular around the US, then. Let’s let our audience sit that information and we’ll be right back after a small break.
Oh no, what do I do?
Salina Shafi: So, Hay fever, I say let’s get into it. How can people recover from you?
Hay Fever: Why would I ever share that knowledge? It defeats the purpose of my existence.
Salina Shafi: Well, is there a way to prevent you from coming?
Hay Fever: Of course, there isn’t! Sometimes, I can give off such bad symptoms that people run to their physician months in advance to make a plan for when I come. They are asking their physician for medication to keep my symptoms away; we’ll see how successful they are with that!
Salina Shafi: Wow, strong opinions there.
Hay Fever: I think you mean strong facts.
Salina Shafi: Anyway, you mentioned dust earlier. Would having a cleaner environment help?
Hay Fever: Nah, a cleaner environment would make it harder for me to spread my symptoms. That and when people constantly wash their hands, it’s like they know it’s one of my few weaknesses.
Salina Shafi: Well, well, well. There you have it folks, our inclusive interview with Hay Fever comes to an end. We would love to see you back here sometime Hay Fever.
Hay Fever: Thanks! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I see a dusty room through the screen, gotta get there first!
Thanks for tuning in to our interesting interview with the Tik Tok famous Hay Fever! If you like these articles, or have any suggestions, comments, or questions, please feel free to comment below.
- Until next time, Salina and the Writing Committee!
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, December 13). FastStats - allergies and hay fever. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 11, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/allergies.htm
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020, July 16). Hay fever. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved February 11, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20373039#:~:text=Hay%20fever%2C%20also%20called%20allergic,t%20caused%20by%20a%20virus
MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Hay fever (allergic rhinitis): Symptoms, causes, and treatment. Medical News Today. Retrieved February 11, 2022, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160665