The Shame of Sneezing in Public

By Nikki Courtney

A new phrase has popped up in the American lexicon: sneeze shaming.

That’s the harsh stare and immediate avoidance anyone who has sneezed in public knows. A cough might illicit a similar reaction. People are leaving rooms to find solace and comfort alone where they can wipe a runny nose or clear their throat without fear of being accused of having coronavirus.

Dr. Sanjiv Sur, the Director of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine, says the coronavirus pandemic is occurring during prime allergy season, and there are a lot of people sneezing for different reasons.

The local pollen count for Houston and surrounding areas is high for tree and grass pollen, and people with seasonal allergies are suffering as they always do this time of year when our cars are showered in green film.

“The allergy season is starting, and almost anyone who has allergies will sneeze, and they will have a runny nose and they will cough,” he tells KTRH News. For allergies, he recommends over the counter nasal spray. “We recommend using topical nasal steroids.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, he shares with KTRH, has approved nasal triamcinolone (Nasacort AQ) and fluticasone (Flonase) for over-the-counter use.

“Patients who suspect they have symptoms of allergies should start using fluticasone or nasacort. In addition, they should start either cetirizine or fexofenadine 1 tablet,” Dr. Sur says.

https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/triamcinolone-nasal-spray

If symptoms are due to allergies- there should be quick benefit, not if there is infection with coronavirus or flu.

Dr. Sur shares these links with KTRH listeners to provide the best information regarding Coronavirus.

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