Field Internship Student Data Acquisition Project. (FISDAP) Airway Practice Exam

Which of the following symptoms is typically associated with seasonal allergies, known as hay fever?

1. Difficulty breathing

2. Breathing difficulty after physical exertion

3. Cold-like symptoms

4. Persistent fever

The correct answer is: Cold-like symptoms

The symptoms typically associated with seasonal allergies, or hay fever, include a variety of cold-like symptoms. These can manifest as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, and throat irritation. These symptoms arise due to an allergic reaction to pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds during specific seasons, leading to inflammation of the nasal passages and irritation of the eyes. In contrast, while difficulty breathing may occur in severe allergic reactions or asthma attacks related to allergies, it is not a primary feature of hay fever itself. Breathing difficulty after physical exertion can indicate exercise-induced bronchoconstriction rather than hay fever symptoms. A persistent fever is not associated with seasonal allergies and typically indicates an infection rather than an allergic response. Therefore, the identifying symptoms of hay fever align best with the presence of cold-like symptoms.