@merpreb - Merry, I am not housebound, but I totally avoid certain things at certain times. For instance, Spring is beautiful but dangerous for me, I used to get a really bad sinus infection and bronchitis every year during Feb - May. At other times of the year as well, but this was pretty much a sure thing! I love nature, working in the yard, planting new flowers ... but I decided it isn't worth weeks of misery ... So I don't go into the yard or walk outside ... I also use a fan in the house and my husband changes the filters (special ones) every 6 weeks. We do this throughout the year. In the car, we keep the windows closed and recirculate the air. We immediately take off our shoes when coming I the house, to avoid bringing in any pollen ... This is particularly true during the Spring, but Fall is a pretty bad period as well!