People vulnerable to respiratory conditions are being urged to take extra care as the start of thunderstorm season approaches. Goulburn Valley Public Health Unit Clinical Director Dr. Will Cross has urged asthma sufferers and people with breathing problems to take extra precautions during the Spring season.
During a thunderstorm asthma event, tiny pollen grains from grasses are swept up into the wind and carried over long distances, when inhaled can penetrate deep into the lungs, triggering asthma flare-ups or attacks. People are at higher risk of experiencing a sudden asthma flare-up triggered by a thunderstorm if they experience seasonal hay fever, have current asthma, have history of asthma or have undiagnosed asthma.
Simple preventative steps can protect you from Thunderstorm Asthma:
Use preventative medication as directed by your GP especially during the Spring thunderstorm season.
Keep hay fever under control by consulting with your healthcare provider as this can exacerbate your asthma during thunderstorm events.
Keep up to date with pollen levels by regularly checking the Vic Emergency website and App from October 1st.
Be prepared and make sure you have all the necessary medications and tools to manage your asthma and hay fever during thunderstorm and pollen seasons.
Download the Vic Emergency app from Google Play or the App Store and set up a ‘watch zone’ for your location to make sure you’re notified of the risk of an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event occurring.
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