Warm Winter Helps Flu, Hurts Allergies

It hasn’t been a very cold winter in the Tri-Cities, which may be more of a curse than a blessing for people with allergies. On the other hand, the spring-like temperatures may be helping our health and our ability to avoid the flu.

"It’s a little unusual not to have hardly any flu cases yet in February," said Dr. David Kirschke at the Northeast Regional Health Office. He said the influenza virus hasn’t hit Tennessee yet even though it usually peaks during this month. In fact, there were only 3 confirmed cases in Tennessee during January.

Doctors may be able to thank Mother Nature because different viruses survive better in different conditions. "Influenza just tends to do very good in moist, cold environments like during winter," Kirschke said.

The lack of snow means more sniffles for people with allergies since mold allergies increase during a mild winter. "In the winter time, when there's no snow cover, it's not as cold, the molds are able to release more spores in to the air,” said Dr. Neil Wallen, an allergist and immunologist. The temperatures also affect temperamental trees. Wallen said they could start budding one to two weeks earlier and get a jump start on pollinating.

Doctors said if you start experiencing allergy-like symptoms including itchy eyes and running nose, try an over-the-counter medication. If that doesn’t help, go to your doctor. The physician may suggest you see an allergist. "For patients with mild allergy symptoms, over the counter medications like Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin are helpful. In fact, the majority of people benefit from those kinds of medications," Wallen said.

One allergy patient at Wallen’s office has had four sinus infections this winter and has been on antibiotics for about two months. He blames the Spring-time problem on the Spring-like temperatures. "This is the only time I can remember having sinus infections. Maybe one or two a year, but nothing like this,” said Seth Testerman.

Doctors said there is still time to get your flu shot. However, it’s too late to get your allergy shot for this season. The series of shots has to be started a season in advance and require multiple shots over a period of time.