News Health & Medicine

Too much of this bacteria in the nose may worsen allergy symptoms

Streptococcus salivarius has a knack for latching onto mucus-coated cells, causing inflammation

A microscopic image of the bacterial species Streptococcus salivarius.

There’s a lot more of the bacterial species Streptococcus salivarius (shown) in the noses of people with hay fever than the noses of those without, researchers have found. The overabundance may be exacerbating allergy symptoms.

DR KARI LOUNATMAA/Science Source

By Aimee Cunningham

A type of bacteria that’s overabundant in the nasal passages of people with hay fever may worsen symptoms.