Newswise — Itchy throat, watery eyes and runny noses are what those with allergies and asthma will feel today, according to Dr. Joseph Leija, allergist, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, and the creator of the official allergy count of the Midwest. The Gottlieb Allergy Count, the official allergy count of the Midwest, started today and Dr. Leija reported “Trees, Moderate and Mold, Low ” in English and Spanish through Twitter, the Gottlieb Allergy Hotline (1-866-4-POLLEN and 1-866-ALERGIA) and at the Gottlieb Web site, www.GottliebHospital.org. For the past decade, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital has provided the official daily allergy count for trees, pollen, ragweed and mold to help allergy sufferers cope during allergy season, April through October.

Dr. Joseph Leija, allergist, certified by the National Allergy Bureau, climbed the stairs to the rooftop of Gottlieb where he maintains a special pollen-catching machine. He carried specimens to his office where he examined them under a microscope to formulate the official allergy count for the Midwest.

Today, Dr. Leija identified Cottonwood, Maple and Birch tree pollen in moderation and low evidence of mold. "Itchy throat, watery eyes and a runny nose," are symptoms Dr. Leija said those with allergies and asthma in the Midwest may experience today, based on the allergy count. "Take your medication and, rather than opening a window for ventilation, use the air conditioner to prevent pollen exposure," are his recommendations. Due to steady rainfall, the pollen count was reduced. "We have had a wet winter, so I anticipate mold to be higher than usual in the coming counts," said Dr. Leija. "The warming trend also means the pollen count will be higher, especially if there is no rain."

Dr. Leija is considered a regional authority in allergies. Every morning, Monday through Friday, at 6:00 a.m. the official allergy count for the Midwest is created at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital by Dr. Leija.