Barwon Health issues asthma warning

Barwon Health is urging parents to monitor their kids for asthma symptoms following a spike in admissions. Here’s what to look out for.

Lottie at Geelong hospital. Picture: Supplied

Barwon Health is urging parents to monitor their kids for asthma symptoms following a spike in admissions over the weekend.

Emergency medicine director Belinda Hibble encouraged parents to know the signs and understand the four first steps of asthma first aid.

“Over the weekend we experienced an increase in asthma presentations, especially in children,” Dr Hibble said.

“Many of these children had never experienced asthma in the past.

“Knowing what to look for and asthma first aid can make a big difference for children experiencing asthma symptoms.

“It’s also a timely reminder for parents to ensure they keep their child at home if

they are unwell to avoid spreading viruses that can cause asthma symptoms.”

School kids headed to the classroom for the start of term one last week.

Curlewis mum Amelia Riddell-Durst took three-year-old daughter Lottie Kline to the emergency department on Sunday night after she started wheezing and showed difficulty breathing.

After being admitted to the children’s ward at Geelong hospital, Lottie also tested positive for rhinovirus, which causes the common cold.

Lottie had only just started three-year-old kinder.

“Our last admission was September, so we’d had a good run,” Ms Riddell-Durst said.

“Sadly what is a common cold for some kids, becomes a hospital admission for kids like

Lottie.”

Lottie when she was admitted to hospital in September. Picture: Supplied

People with asthma may experience one or more of the following common symptoms:

WHEEZING – a high-pitched sound coming from the chest while breathing;

BREATHLESSNESS;

A FEELING of tightness in the chest; and,

A PERSISTENT cough.

High pollen and stormy weather can often also trigger thunderstorm asthma in adults and children.

Asthma affects one in nine Australian adults, and one in five children, according to Health Direct.

Barwon Health advises if someone is having an asthma attack sit the person upright; give four separate puffs with a blue or grey reliever puffer; wait four minutes; and if there is no improvement call triple-0 for an ambulance.

Originally published as Barwon Health issues asthma warning