Age Friendly Benalla - Epidemic thunderstorm asthma

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Now that spring brings a flourish of airborne pollens, and is, potentially, followed by months of storms, the problem of "thunderstorm asthma", arises.

The Better Health Channel offers the following information.

What is epidemic thunderstorm asthma?

Epidemic thunderstorm asthma is thought to be triggered by a unique combination of high pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm, causing a large number of people to develop asthma symptoms over a short period of time.

When can it occur?

These events do not occur every year, but can happen during grass pollen season from October 1 to December 31 in Victoria.

On November 21, 2016, Melbourne experienced the largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma event in the world.

Who are the people most at risk?

Many older people suffer with asthma or hay fever, but anyone with a history of these illnesses are at risk.

For them thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life threatening.

People with undiagnosed asthma or hay fever are also at risk.

How do you know if you have undiagnosed asthma?

If you are experiencing wheezing, shortness of breath, a tight feeling in the chest or persistent coughing, then you may have asthma.

These symptoms may come and go, or you may not have all of them, but it’s important to talk to your doctor and get checked before the grass pollen season starts on October 1.

How can you protect yourself from epidemic thunderstorm asthma?

Victoria has an epidemic thunderstorm asthma forecasting system that provides daily forecasts from October 1 to December 31. Be aware of epidemic thunderstorm forecasts.

If you have a history of asthma or hay fever:

Always follow your asthma action plan.

Know how and when to take your medications properly.

Carry your blue or grey reliever puffer and spacer with yourself.

Learn the four steps of asthma first aid,

Where possible, avoid being outside during thunderstorms from October through to December, especially in the wind gusts that come before the storm.

How can you tell if you may be experiencing epidemic thunderstorm asthma?

You have been exposed to a thunderstorm on a high pollen day between October through to December and you are experiencing the most common symptoms of asthma:

● Wheezing;

● Shortness of breath; and

● A tight feeling in the chest and persistent cough.

What should you do if someone you’re with is experiencing epidemic thunderstorm asthma?

If you think someone is having an asthma attack:

● Step 1: Sit the person upright;

● Step 2: Give four separate puffs of their blue or grey reliever puffer- make sure you shake the puffer first. Put one puff into the spacer and get the person to take four breaths from the spacer. Repeat this until the person has taken four puffs. Remember: shake, one puff, four breaths;

● Step 3: Wait four minutes. If there is no improvement, give the person four more separate puffs as in step 2. Remember: shake, one puff, four breaths; and

● Step 4: If there is no improvement, phone 000 for an ambulance. Keep giving the person four separate puffs every four minutes until emergency assistance arrives.

If you don’t have a spacer, have the patient simply inhale four puffs directly by the mouth.

Phone 000 immediately if the person is not breathing, if their asthma suddenly becomes worse, or if the person is having an asthma attack and there’s no blue or grey reliever available.

Remember, asthma reliever medication is unlikely to cause harm, even if the person does not have asthma.

● For more information about thunderstorm asthma and how to be prepared, visit this linkthis link. or

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