Can allergies (seasonal or other) interfere with recovery?

Yes. A mild runny nose, cough, or flair of allergies can cause enough neurological stress to worsen anxiety, hyperactivity, aggression, and stimming. A simple ten-day course of an over-the-counter nasal corticosteroid spray (fluticasone) can improve the symptoms and often lead to improvement. If the child’s symptoms are severe or seem to be worsening in spite of fluticasone, always have your child checked by a physician to make sure the symptoms are not from pneumonia.