Ragweed season is here and it could stay for a long time depending on the weather.

With oak pollen leading the charge and warm, breezy conditions keeping those tissues flying, we're in for a bumpy ride through mid-April.

In Houston, respiratory viruses like COVID, RSV, and flu are on the decline, with only occasional flu cases being reported.

Uncontrollable sneezing, blood shot eyes and headaches as pollen numbers climb sky high thanks to the wind,

A dry overall late winter and spells of warmer early spring weather has prompted a fast jump into allergy season for areas in SE Texas.

So many people are getting sick and so many are asking KPRC 2 health reporter Haley Hernandez, what is it? It might be the flu OR, it could just be spring allergies.

Temperatures are heating up across the region this week.

If you, your kids, or anybody in your family has been coughing and sneezing a lot more than normal this season, you’re not alone.

Have you noticed your eyes being itchy lately? Scratchy throat? Runny nose? Constant sneezing? If so, you are likely dealing with our high pollen count!

What’s going around?I got answers from doctors across the area about what viruses and infections they’re seeing most often in their clinics.

There’s bad news for Houstonians.

We’re seeing a record-early start to allergy season.

This is how to check the pollen and mold count in Houston if you're feeling your allergies kicking up.

What’s going around? Common symptoms you may be feeling right now

Two Texas cities are among the top 10 most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Experts say warmer temperatures are impacting allergy seasons.

A food allergy can happen with almost any kind of food, at any age, but some are more common than others.

HOUSTON – Tree pollen is about to cause some trouble in Houston, and this year it may also cause confusion as people wonder if their symptoms are just seasonal allergies or COVID-19 related. “We are on the brink of our spring allergy season,” said Dr. Michael Kaplan, an ENT with Houston Sinus Center. But if you have a history of allergies and you can correlate it with the time and the exposure, it’s probably just allergies,” said Kaplan. “The tree pollen is going to start to accumulate in the next few weeks. Then you’re looking at grass pollen, but the tree pollen is the big culprit here,” said Kaplan.

Have you ever heard someone say that your heart stops for a moment every time you sneeze?

Doctor explains common causes of allergies | HOUSTON LIFE | KPRC 2Published: October 15, 2020, 7:13 pmDr. Serge Gregoire with Mind Body Solutions shares how you can overcome your allergies and start to feel better.

A lot of allergies can be very severe, leading to headaches and congestion, often being mistaken for an illness and, in some cases, may lead to your employer or child’s school requesting you to stay home. It’s not the first thing you think about but there are some reports of people having sneezing,” said Dr. Stacey Silvers, from Aspire Allergy & Sinus. Typically during this time of year brings more allergy sufferers into Aspire Allergy and Sinus. Silvers said more than ever, people will want to stay on top of their health. Some are going to be sent home because they have allergy symptoms and it’s hard to tell the difference between that and potential coronavirus infections,” Silvers said.

HOUSTON – The KPRC 2 meteorologist team has been mentioning that Saharan dust is moving through our area this weekend. That means if you have allergies, they are probably acting up and those symptoms may be misinterpreted as a coronavirus infection since symptoms are similar. The main difference, according to Wenaas, is allergies caused by the dust storm should not cause a fever, muscle or body aches, loss of smell or digestive problems. Wenaas said wearing a mask is a great protection since it will help you inhale fewer dust particles and protect you/others from coronavirus. You should also avoid spending time outside as the dust storm moves through if you have underlying respiratory issues.

Find relief from your chronic sinus at Kaplan Sinus Center | HOUSTON LIFE | KPRC 2Published: May 26, 2020, 2:21 pmIf you or a loved one is suffering from chronic sinus issues, it’s time to get help in a safe and friendly environment. Dr. Michael Kaplan, of Kaplan Sinus Center, shares how you can start feeling better and start breathing normally again.

With sinus and allergy season in full swing, the coronavirus pandemic is causing more hesitation for allergy sufferers who would normally go to a doctor or hospital for treatment. “Sinus and allergy season is here,” Beven said. Some foods to consumeAntioxidants help shield cells from oxidative stress. Bioflavonoids enhance the action of Vitamin C and supports blood circulation, which can aid in fighting allergies, viruses or arthritis. These help keep the gut healthy, which is important since 80% of immunity resides in the gut.

For millions of seasonal allergy sufferers, the annual onset of watery eyes and scratchy throats is bumping up against the global spread of a new virus that produces its own constellation of respiratory symptoms. Forecasters are predicting a brutal spring allergy season for swaths of the U.S. at the same time that COVID-19 cases are rising dramatically. Allergy sufferers fret that there’s just enough overlap to make them nervous. Pamela Smelser is reminded of allergy season every time she looks out the window of her home office, where her cherry tree is blooming. As allergy season ramps up in Pennsylvania, Dr. Laura Fisher, an allergist in Lancaster, expects an influx of worried patients.

HOUSTON – People with seasonal allergies have been reaching for the tissue a lot more lately as pollen season begins in the Houston area. Here are three things you should know about the region’s spring allergy season. Spring allergy season is known for heavy tree pollen and grass pollen. Pollen CountWith tree pollen being the highest offered it is helpful to know what trees are the current offenders. Know what symptoms are common for allergy sufferersWhen someone is getting sick, there is typically a slow ramp-up in symptoms.

HOUSTON – If you’re noticing that your eyes are a tad extra itchy or you’re grabbing for the Kleenex, it’s not just you. The tree pollen count for the greater Houston area has recently flipped into the “heavy” category with the biggest culprit being cedar pollen that generally blows in from the Hill Country around Austin and San Antonio. The rain we are experiencing Wednesday should help wash off some of the pollen and help with the sniffles! Mountain cedar pollen is very common across Central Texas and when we see a northwest wind, it’s a good bet we’ll see those numbers spike again. Houston Pollen Count for WednesdayThe pollination season for the shrubs and trees is generally from December through February.

"Up to 30% of people who are allergic to dogs are actually allergic to one specific protein that's made in the prostate of a dog," said Dr. Lakiea Wright, an allergist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "If you're allergic to only that specific protein in the male dog, you may be able to tolerate a female or a neutered dog," Wright said. Spoiler: Because all dogs make one or more types of proteins, there truly is no such thing as a "hypoallergenic" dog, Wright said. "But then we're also looking at specific proteins, the parts that make up the whole, to refine that diagnoses." How do you know if you’re only allergic to male dogs?