GEORGE NEWS - George has been included in South Africa's Real Pollen Count programme, good news to people suffering from allergic rhinitis symptoms, especially this time of year when there is a rise in pollen counts.

The Real Pollen Count programme provides answers to questions such as which pollen is to blame for symptoms, exactly when does the rise in pollen count become significant, and how long does the pollen season last, according to Dr Corli Lodder, local allergy and asthma expert. 

"It will enable us to answer these questions with accuracy."

Lodder explains that prolonged pollination seasons are recorded all over the world and the vegetation is changing due to global warming. Data from Europe, the UK and USA has been monitored for many years. 

The data enables allergologists and allergic rhinitis and asthma patients to know exactly when to step up medication and when they can relax their regime. "In South Africa we do not have longstanding data, but surveillance is being done," Lodder says. 

"Over the past few years there have been eight Real Pollen Counters in our country and data was being reported by the Lung Institute weekly. We are happy to announce that George is now part of this programme."

She said this is made possible thanks to generous funding from Cipla SA. Mediclinic assists with a location and Ampath with the weekly collection of the pollen sample. Eshi Beukes of Immunospec assists with logistics in George.

"Patients can see when pollen and fungal spore counts go up and which trees, weeds and grasses are pollenating. We can test accordingly and adjust medication and plan desensitisation programmes for patients," says Lodder.

Visit www.pollencount.co.za to view the Real Pollen Counter.

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