Hay fever link to poorer GCSEs

It is estimated 15 million people in the UK suffer from hay fever

GCSE candidates who suffer from hay fever are 40% more likely to drop a grade between their mock and final exams, research has found.

This figure rises to 70% if they are taking a sedating anti-histamine treatment, which can cause drowsiness.

The study said one way to combat the problem would be to change the times of the year when exams are sat.

The survey, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, looked at 1,834 pupils aged between 15 and 17.

The researchers compared exam performances in mock and final GCSE exams for the core subjects of maths, English or science to questionnaires on hay fever symptoms on the day of the exam.

As many as 63% of those surveyed reported hay fever symptoms.

Hay fever facts Hay fever is estimated to affect 15 million people in the UK Cases have tripled over the past 20 years 36% of sufferers report a moderate to severe impact on their daily activities

The researchers had expected most children to achieve predicted grades or, if they worked harder, improved results.

The research, by the charity Education for Health in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London, says hay fever symptoms in children and young people during the exam season must be better managed.

It also says there is an argument to change the timings of key exam like A-levels and GCSEs.

"Parents and health professionals need to understand that having hay fever could cause their children to perform less well in their exams and that effective treatments are widely available from their GP, practice nurse or pharmacist," said Dr Samantha Walker who led the study.

Special consideration

A spokesman for the Joint Council for Qualifications said: "JCQ awarding bodies do treat applications for special consideration sympathetically, where evidence is provided under guidelines.

"If a candidate is present for an examination but disadvantaged due to a serious case of hay fever, they should contact the head of centre or examinations officer."

Candidates should not submit applications themselves and each case is treated on an individual basis.

The maximum a candidate would be given in compensation for a serious case of hay fever would be 2%.

Hay fever comes under the bracket of "allergic rhinitis", which is estimated to affect 15 million people in the UK and also includes other nasal allergies.

According to the Royal College of Physicians, its incidence has tripled over the past 20 years. The condition causes a blocked or runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes.