Pollen Meter

High pollen doesn’t just cause sneezing. For people with hay fever, asthma, COPD, or allergies, it can trigger wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness. The NowPatient Pollen Meter tracks real-time tree, grass, and weed pollen levels in your area and sends personalized clinical alerts based on your specific conditions. Powered by NAB-certified data and your health profile, it tells you what the pollen count means for you, not just everyone else.

The Pollen Meter uses NAB-certified and compliant data. NAB is the National Allergy Bureau. Pollen readings are refreshed each day. NowPatient’s AI algorithms trigger personalized warnings based on a combination of local pollen counts and your personal health conditions. The three Pollen Meter Service Cards, one each for Tree, Grass, and Weed pollen, are located in the ‘Personalised Insights’ section of your account homepage.

Yes. The Pollen Meter is a free service available to all registered NowPatient users.

Yes. The Pollen Meter is classified as a Class I medical device under UK MDR 2002 regulations for its intended use.

The three Pollen Meter Service Cards (Tree, Grass, and Weed) are located in the ‘Personalised Insights’ section of your account homepage. To activate them:

Location services allow the Pollen Meter to access your current location so it can display accurate local pollen readings for your area. Without location access, the service cannot provide the personalised, location-specific data it relies on.

The Pollen Meter’s personalised warnings are based on the combination of your local pollen count and your registered health conditions. For best use of the service, ensure your health profile is kept up to date with your health conditions. If your conditions change and your profile is not updated, you may not receive the most relevant clinical advice.

If NowPatient’s AI algorithm identifies a risk based on your local pollen count and your health conditions, you will receive:

You can also view any warning advisory at any time by selecting the ‘View Warning’ button on the relevant Pollen Meter Service Card.

Each Pollen Meter Service Card (Tree, Weed, Grass) will show you a reading and an associated risk level, if applicable. For example, if you are in an at-risk group such as someone with asthma or COPD, and the grass pollen count in your location is between 61 and 341, you will receive a HIGH RISK advisory notification describing the precautions you need to take to prevent the worsening of your condition.

Pollen levels are measured in Pollen Grains Per Cubic Metre (PPM). The larger the number, the worse the pollen level. The table below shows the PPM thresholds for each risk level across all three pollen types:

Pollen readings are refreshed each day. The Pollen Meter Service Cards display the current day’s pollen reading and associated risk level for your location.

The Pollen Meter tracks Tree pollen, Grass pollen, and Weed pollen. Each type has its own season and health implications, and you can be allergic to more than one kind across the year.

Tree pollen is a common hay fever trigger and is the first type of pollen released every year. Levels are usually highest from late March to mid-May. The most common tree pollen allergy is birch tree pollen, which affects about 20% of people with hay fever.

Grass pollen is the most common hay fever trigger and affects about 95% of people who have hay fever. Grass pollen is often highest between mid-May and July. There is evidence that when grass pollen levels are high, there is an increase in the number of people with asthma needing hospital treatment for their symptoms. There is also some evidence that suggests a link between high levels of grass pollen and increased numbers of COPD hospital admissions.

Hay fever can also be triggered by weed pollen, which is usually highest from the end of June until September.

At-risk groups are defined as adults and children with heart or lung problems, who are at greater risk of symptoms. It is possible that very sensitive individuals may experience health effects even on low pollen count days. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical advice. Follow your doctor’s usual advice about exercising and managing your condition.

The following conditions are classified as at-risk:

Allergies to tree, grass, or weed pollen cause hay fever, which can affect lung conditions like asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The NowPatient Pollen Meter sends you medically approved conditional warnings based on the pollen count in your location and your pre-existing medical conditions, if you have any.

If the pollen count is Moderate, High, or Very High and you are asthmatic, have allergies, COPD, or bronchitis, you should make an appointment with your doctor if you observe any of the following worsening symptoms: