Asthma Australia is urging people to act vigilantly as ryegrass pollen season officially kicks in, contributing to thunderstorm asthma.
Thunderstorm asthma presents in people with asthma as well as those suffering from hay fever.
In the 2016 Victorian thunderstorm asthma epidemic, 87 per cent of those diagnosed presented with hay fever, while 28 per cent knew to have asthma previously.
Asthma Australia spokesperson Professor Jo Douglass AO said following a review of the 2016 event, it was revealed just how many victims of thunderstorm asthma also suffered from hay fever,
“Evidence revealed that one-third of people who described only having hay fever symptoms before going to hospital with thunderstorm asthma actually experienced asthma symptoms but did not recognise them,” she said.
“It’s important to recognise hay fever symptoms associated with asthma, like night waking and morning wheezing, and to see a doctor for an asthma review.
People with undiagnosed asthma need to receive a formal diagnosis so they can begin to manage their condition. This could help reduce their risk of an asthma attack or hospitalisation during future thunderstorm asthma events.
On November 21, 2016, over 3,500 Victorians presented to emergency rooms in respiratory distress after ryegrass pollen levels had peaked in the previous days.
Rain and moisture ruptured the ryegrass pollen grains, making them small enough to be inhaled. A thunderstorm then brought the particles down to ground level.
The event resulted in 10 asthma-related fatalities.
Lowering chances of thunderstorm asthma:
- Engage in good asthma management year-round
- Using a preventer inhaler
- Keeping hay fever under control and taking any necessary medicines
- Check pollen levels, and where possible, avoid being outside on high-level days
Ryegrass pollen seasons across Australia
- VIC: August to February
- NSW: September to November
- ACT: October to February
- TAS: October to December
- SA: October to March
- WA: October to November
- QLD: September to November
You can find out more on the Asthma Australia website.