Health Centre Update

HEALTH CENTRE UPDATE

We hope you are all staying happy and healthy as we approach the end of the school year!

We would like to continue to thank our school community for continuing to adhere to the Department of Health Guidelines by staying home if you are feeling unwell.

YEAR 12 STUDENTS MEDICAL SUPPLIES

If you have allergy packs or medications kept in the Health Centre, please remember to collect before Thursday December 16.

We wish all the current year 12 students all the best for their future.

THUNDERSTORM ASTHMA

Thunderstorm Asthma is a form of asthma that coincides with the peak grass pollen season and a certain type of thunderstorm. These events are more likely to occur from October 1 to December 31.

Those at increased risk of thunderstorm asthma include:

· People with asthma

· People with a history of asthma

· Those with undiagnosed asthma (i.e., people who have asthma symptoms, but have not yet been diagnosed with asthma)

· People with seasonal hayfever (who may or may not have asthma).

It is difficult to predict a thunderstorm asthma event, there are several things you can do to be prepared:

· Have an up-to-date asthma action plan and access to prescribed reliever medication. All asthma action plans should be updated annually. Please see us in the Health Centre if you require a copy of a new asthma action plan

· Be aware of thunderstorm forecasts particularly on high or extreme pollen count days.

Never ignore asthma symptoms like breathlessness, wheezing and tightness in the chest. Start asthma first aid immediately and call 000 if symptoms do not improve or get worse.

Download the Vic Emergency app and set up a 'watch zone' for your location to receive advice and warnings about potential epidemic thunderstorm asthma events during the grass pollen season. To subscribe please visit www2.health.vic.gov.au/newsletters.

The department recently launched an epidemic thunderstorm asthma campaign. You can access a range of information and resources at https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/thunderstorm-asthma

Melissa & Eva

College Nurses