Everyone needs to be aware of asthma symptoms because even people who had never had it before were affected by the Melbourne asthma thunderstorms, says QUT PhD researcher Kaitlyn Porter, who is studying the role of pharmacists in natural disasters.
She said storms were increasing in frequency and intensity.
“This increases the risk of more asthma epidemics in the future,” Ms Porter, a registered pharmacist from QUT’s School of Clinical Sciences, said.
“People need to know that if they experience shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing or coughing they need to seek immediate medical attention as it can be serious.”
“People with asthma can take a daily preventive medication and use a reliever or ‘puffer’ if they experience an asthma attack.
“People with uncontrolled asthma, and seasonal allergies were most affected by these storms which sent 8500 people to emergency departments.
“Those with well-controlled asthma, who had taken their preventer medication regularly fared better in the Melbourne asthma thunderstorm in November and didn’t need to go to hospital.
“St Vincent’s Hospital in Fitzroy ran out of the reliever medication Ventolin (salbutamol) which is taken during an acute asthma attack, and had to refer people to their community pharmacist.”
Ms Porter said people with diagnosed asthma should use their preventer medication every day and always carry reliever medication with them, especially during high pollen and windy storm seasons.
“Asthma action plans save lives – it is important for people to have a current plan, and to talk to their doctor or pharmacist if they don’t know what it is.
“High pollen counts and rapid changes in temperature and humidity caused this health crisis. It is an event that can happen anywhere in Australia especially as the weather becomes more humid and storm season begins.
“Healthcare professionals need to be more vigilant in identifying people at risk.”
Media contact: Niki Widdowson, QUT Media, 07 3138 2999 or n.widdowson@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901 or media@qut.edu.au.
