Healthy Community

Thunderstorm Asthma

We have entered a period of the year where we must prepare for an uncommon, yet a potentially life-threatening event: Thunderstorm Asthma.

This is triggered by a mix of high levels of grass pollen and a certain type of thunderstorm. When exposed, the tiny particles of pollen are breathed deep into your lungs, triggering an asthma flare-up or attack.

People that have a higher chance of a sudden asthma flare-up triggered by a thunderstorm are ones who have:

• Seasonal hay fever
• Current asthma
• A history of asthma
• Undiagnosed asthma

Things you can do to lower the chance of having thunderstorm asthma:

• Use your preventer during the spring thunderstorm season
• Keep your hay fever under control/taking necessary hay fever medication
• Checking pollen levels and where possible, avoid being outside on these days
• Be prepared with scripts and necessary medicines needed.

During school hours to help protect ourselves and our students we also need to follow advice from the department:

• Act on advice and warnings from the department's Emergency Management Division associated with a potential thunderstorm asthma activity, and implement a communication strategy to inform the school community and parents or carers
• Implement procedures to avoid exposure, such as staying indoors with windows and doors closed
• Implement emergency response procedures and follow individual asthma action plans as needed.

• Download the VicEmergency App to receive advice and warnings

   

Being Sun Smart