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Tue 06 Jun 2004Check-UpHayfever"At this time every year, just as the garden needs most attention, my partner claims his hayfever prevents him from doing his share. Is he swinging the lead or has he a legitimate excuse?"I'm afraid hayfever can be a most unpleasant thing and your boyfriend deserves a little more sympathy. Hayfever, otherwise known as allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction of the nose, throat and eyes to irritant particles in the air.