Ambulance Victoria is urging people with asthma to get ahead of the season by checking their medication and updating their asthma action plans.
“Asthma affects people of all ages and while it can become life-threatening, it is usually well managed when people understand their triggers and have an up-to-date asthma action plan,” Ambulance Victoria director emergency management Dale Armstrong said.
Common spring triggers include grass pollen, dust, air pollution and thunderstorms, while mould, dust mites and fumes from gas cook tops can also contribute to symptoms.
Adults should review their asthma action plans at least once a year and children’s plans should be updated every six months.
Asthma can also develop for the first time in adulthood, and people experiencing persistent hay fever symptoms including a runny nose, itchy eyes or congestion should speak with their doctor.
“It can be easy to become complacent if you haven’t experienced symptoms for a while, but asthma doesn’t disappear,” Mr Armstrong said.
“That’s why we encourage Victorians to check their medication, review their action plan and book in with their GP before symptoms become a problem.”
People seeking non-emergency care can access the 24/7 Virtual Emergency Department via ved.vic.gov.au, free advice from Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24, or support from general practitioners and pharmacists.
Victorians should monitor the epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecast through the VicEmergency app or website at tinyurl.com/ybt63shw from October 1 to December 31.
Anyone having difficulty breathing and for whom reliever medication is not helping, should call 000.
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