NHS Advises Keeping Windows and Doors Closed Amid April 8-12 Alert for Millions - OK! Magazine

A health alert has been issued across many parts of the UK for the next five days as the weather is set to change. According to the latest NHS guidance, people are advised to 'keep windows and doors shut as much as possible' to help.

It comes as the Met Office has issued a fresh alert about the pollen count, which is set to reach 'Very High' levels this week. In a new post on X, it said: 'Have you been sneezing a lot today? You may have been suffering with hay fever. It's the peak of the tree pollen season and levels of ash and birch pollen will remain very high across England and Wales through the rest of the week.'

Today, Wednesday, April 8, the pollen count is forecast to hit the highest level across England and Wales. It is set to remain high for much of Scotland, too. Between now and Sunday, April 12, levels are expected to remain mostly high for several regions.

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The Met Office forecasts temperatures as high as 26C today, before conditions turn markedly cooler later in the week. A spokesperson said: 'Fine and sunny weather will dominate for many over the next couple of days as warm air is drawn northwards across the UK.

'Highs in the low to mid-20s are expected widely across England and Wales today, with the warmest conditions often found in sheltered areas, including parts of northwest Wales, where 24C or even 25C is possible.'

With warm weather and high pollen levels, hay fever risk is rising for millions of people across the country. According to the Met Office, hay fever affects almost 10 million people in England, of all ages. 'This equates to almost one in four adults and one in 10 children, and research shows that the number of sufferers is rising, year on year', it says.

Hay fever is a common allergy that causes sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. While there is no cure, there are ways to ease your symptoms and some medicines you can take to feel better.

The NHS says: 'Symptoms are usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest. Hay fever can last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after one to two weeks.' Symptoms of hay fever include:

There are various steps people can take to ease hay fever symptoms. One thing the NHS recommends is 'keep windows and doors shut as much as possible'. Other suggestions the health service lists include

put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen

wear wraparound sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes

shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off

vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth

try to use a pollen filter in the air vents of your car, if you have one, and a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner

Keeping windows and doors closed when the pollen count is high really helps with hay fever symptoms. By shutting them, you prevent pollen from entering and landing on your furniture, carpets, and bedding, which can prolong symptoms inside.

With the UK set to see the hottest day of the year so far, Dr Rupa Parmar, GP and Medical Director of Midland Health, said: 'A pollen bomb happens as the weather quickly changes from cold to warm, which can trigger a massive release of pollen, an unwelcome surprise for the millions of Brits who suffer each year from hay fever.

'During a hay fever bomb, allergies can appear quite suddenly, and symptoms like sneezing, itchy and red eyes, headaches, and coughing will appear much earlier and seem much more severe than normal. It mostly affects those who suffer from tree pollen in early spring, but pollen bombs can also occur during summer with grass pollen.'