00:02If you've been more sniffly than usual lately, complaining of a scratchy throat or itchy eyes, you're not alone.
00:09People coming in with a lot of inflammation through their eyes, their sinuses, their nose.
00:14We've definitely been seeing more patients presenting with hay fever.
00:19Experts say there's a reason for the sneezing.
00:22It's been a particularly strong pollen season this year for Canberra and one of the main reasons for that is
00:27we had quite a wet winter.
00:30But also that's extended on into the spring.
00:32The 2026 pollen season started earlier than usual across the eastern states.
00:37But the ACT's grass and tree pollen cocktail contributes to Canberra's status as Australia's hay fever capital.
00:45Around 29% of people living in the ACT are suffering from hay fever compared to the average rate in
00:52Australia around 11%.
00:54Professor Haberley expects it'll get worse before it gets better.
00:57We're anticipating that it will be quite a severe season simply because we've got this very high productivity of grasses
01:05around Canberra.
01:07Luckily it seems checking the pollen count is part of the daily routine for many Canberrans.
01:12When you see these forecasts of moderate to high and then even extreme days, you definitely take notice of that
01:19and use different strategies to reduce your exposure to pollen.
01:24The traditional advice of just taking a single tablet probably isn't the best management now.
01:28Though research suggests low pollen doesn't always mean low risk.
01:33Even when grass pollen counts are classified as low, some people still report symptoms and that's got to do with
01:38the way your immune system interacts with the pollen that's in the air.
01:41Forewarned and forearmed.
01:44Forewarned and forearmed.
01:46Forewarned and forearmed.
01:46Forewarned and foreowym.
01:47Forewarned and forem Intensical body pulse.
