Do you suffer from asthma or hay fever?

Know the risks. Be prepared. Stay safe.

Grass pollen season brings an increased risk of asthma and hay fever. It also brings the increased chance of thunderstorm asthma. For people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who wheeze and sneeze during spring, thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life-threatening.

In Victoria, the grass pollen season runs from October through December. There are things you can do to prepare and protect yourself and those in your care: 

➡ It’s important for everyone in the community to know the steps of asthma first aid so they know what to do if someone is having an asthma attack. 

⛈ Avoid being outside during thunderstorms from October through to December – especially in the wind gusts that come before the storm. Go inside and close your doors and windows. Turn off any air conditioner that brings outside air in (e.g. evaporative air conditioners).

👨‍⚕️ If you’ve ever had asthma, talk to your doctor about what you can do to help protect yourself from the risk of thunderstorm asthma this pollen season, including updating your asthma action plan. Remember, taking an asthma preventer as prescribed is key to preventing asthma, including thunderstorm asthma.

🤧 If you’ve ever had hay fever – see your GP to make sure you don’t also have asthma and discuss how to stay safe during grass pollen season. 

🏪 Asthma reliever medication is available over the counter at pharmacies. Ideally, this should be used with a spacer for both children and adults.

📱 Monitor the epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecast on the Vic Emergency thunderstorm asthma forecast webpage or download the Vic Emergency app (App Store or Google Play) – you can set up a 'watch zone' for your location to receive advice and warnings about potential epidemic thunderstorm asthma events during the grass pollen season.

Protect yourself this pollen season – preventing and managing asthma matters.

Learn more at my.gh.org.au/thunderstormasthma