Thunderstorm Asthma . . . Know the Signs

With pollen levels forecast to peak this week, Ambulance Victoria is urging the community to make sure they’re aware of the symptoms of asthma and know when to call for help. 

Thunderstorm asthma season officially runs from October to the end of December, but the peak risk occurs around the middle of November. The Bureau of Meteorology says pollen will be high early this week and thunderstorms are forecast for today and Wednesday. 

Symptoms
Ambulance Victoria’s Director of Emergency Management, Justin Dunlop, said asthma, seasonal hay fever and COVID-19 have some symptoms in common. 

“Symptoms of hay fever include a runny or itchy nose, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes while asthma symptoms including wheezing, breathlessness, a tight chest and persistent cough,” he said. 

“As we know, COVID symptoms also include a runny nose, tight chest and cough.” 

Management
Mr Dunlop said that’s why it’s important for people to manage their hay fever and asthma appropriately. 

“If you suffer from seasonal hay fever you are at increased risk of asthma developing during a thunderstorm asthma event, so speak to your GP or pharmacist about treatment and whether you need to have an asthma preventer,” he said. 

“If you are an asthma suffer, make sure you discuss your management plan with your GP and have plenty of preventer and reliever medication and a spacer on hand.” 

Mr Dunlop said people should also avoid being outside during thunderstorms from October through December, particularly in the wind gusts before the rain.

“If possible, go inside your house or car and close your doors and windows. If you have an air conditioner, switch it on to recirculate the air,” he said. 

“Don’t hesitate to call Triple Zero (000) if you or someone near you is experiencing symptoms such as obvious difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing, unable to speak a full sentence in one breath or reliever medication isn’t lasting as long as usual.” 

Some facts:

What is epidemic thunderstorm asthma? 

When a large number of people develop asthma symptoms over a short period of time, triggered by an uncommon type of thunderstorm, it is known as an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event. 

What causes thunderstorm asthma? 

Thunderstorm asthma occurs when whole pollen grains are swept up into the clouds as a storm matures. Moisture in the clouds breaks the pollen into smaller particles which are then blown to ground level where they can be breathed deeply into the lungs. 

This makes it difficult to breathe and can result in the sudden onset of severe asthma symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness and coughing.

Who is most at risk? 
People with asthma, undiagnosed asthma, or who may have had asthma in the past are most at risk. People with hay fever who may or may not have had asthma are also at risk. 

Having both asthma and hay fever, or poor control of asthma, increases the risk further. 

For more information: 

AV thunderstorm asthma video link, download https://vimeo.com/user114153205/download/477038963/043efa6b18. Feel free to use as you see fit. 
Melbournepollen.com.au 
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Nationalasthma.org.au