Hay fever sufferers at risk of thunderstorm asthma

IF grass pollen makes you sneeze or wheeze, health experts are urging you to get tested for asthma, as the state’s grass pollen season starts today.

IF grass pollen makes you sneeze or wheeze, health experts are urging you to get tested for asthma, as the state’s grass pollen season starts today.

Doctors are warning that you don’t need to have an asthma diagnosis to be affected during a thunderstorm asthma event.

From today Victorians can log online and check the daily pollen forecast to best plan their movements on high-risk days for respiratory distress during the peak season.

TABLET TO PROTECT AGAINST HAY FEVER, THUNDERSTORM ASTHMA

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LINK BETWEEN PHYSICAL ILL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS

Doctors warn that you don’t need to have an asthma diagnosis to be affected during a thunderstorm asthma event. Generic picture

Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Angie Bone said for the second year, eight pollen counters across the state will measure the daily concentration of grass pollen in the air until the end of the year.

“It will help Victorians to prepare themselves on high risk days, but it also helps emergency services and health professionals to be fully prepared should there be another event.”

The rare pollen explosion scenario on November 21, 2016 saw hospitals and emergency services swamped with unprecedented demand to treat almost 10,000 Melburnians in respiratory distress. Nine people died.

Head of Deakin University’s pollen count and forecast program, Associate Professor Cenk Suphioglu said while the initial forecast this year was for a less severe season than the deadly 2016 event, there was the risk of severe thunderstorm asthma event each season.

“We are not seeing much grass growth, but grass is very opportunistic and given the right conditions can grow very quickly,” Associate Prof Suphioglu said.

“Anyone who is allergic to grass pollen is at risk. You don’t have to have an existing asthma diagnosis to be at risk when it comes to a thunderstorm asthma event.

“People with pollen allergies are advised to speak to their health professionals to get a proper assessment and be put on an asthma action plan.”

Check the daily pollen count at melbournepollen.com.au