Sneezing, sniffing, coughing--it seems everyone's been dealing with it lately.

Even some of our anchors, like Gene Birk, have been battling this "junk" for weeks.

Rachel Collier ventured out and found--it's the flowers and trees that may be making you sneeze.

Several WBKO employees are sick, and have been for weeks. And if you're on-air, it can be tough to get through.

Lately, our Gene Birk has had trouble anchoring because of being under the weather. On air many times--mid-sentence--he's had to clear his throat.

So what may be causing many of us to lose our voices, cough and sneeze--It's lingering outside and it's mainly the trees.

"We're starting to have trees that are beginning to pollinate, and so we're in the beginning of the tree pollen season," said Dr. Tim Sternberg, an allergist.

"Most people's symptoms start with watery itchy eyes, sneezing, clear runny nose, and congestion, are the primary symptoms," added Sternberg.

But don't check off your symptoms as just allergies, it could be more.

"A lot of respiratory viruses that are still present in the community and so some of the individuals that may seem like they have allergy symptoms may still be having some respiratory or viral symptoms," said Sternberg.

With the flowers blooming and grass on the way your allergy symptoms may stick around.

Like Gene, you may just have to pull through it.

Dr. Sternberg says you can usually help your allergy symptoms with over the counter antihistamines and decongestants. If your sypmtoms persist, see your family physician or allergist.