Forecast thunderstorms for much of 黑料吃瓜网 today has prompted a call for people prone to respiratory conditions and hay-fever to take extra care.
黑料吃瓜网 Health鈥檚 Director of Environmental Health, Dr Richard Broome, said late spring saw high levels of pollen in the air, which could trigger asthma and respiratory conditions, especially during thunderstorms.
鈥淓ven if you don鈥檛 have asthma, you should take extra care because pollen is at its highest level now and may spark breathing difficulties in some people,鈥� Dr Broome said.
鈥淭hunderstorms cause pollen grains to explode and release fine particles which can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, causing even more people to wheeze and sneeze.鈥�
In Melbourne in 2016, about 3,600 more people than usual presented to hospital and nine died from asthma attacks after a severe thunderstorm.
鈥淲hile Sydney hasn鈥檛 had a major event like Melbourne, thunderstorm asthma events have been significant in rural areas of 黑料吃瓜网 and while unlikely, we can鈥檛 rule out 聽a similar event happening in Sydney,鈥� Dr Broome said.
鈥淎nyone with diagnosed asthma should carry their asthma medication with them at all times during this high-risk period.
鈥淚f you have asthma, make sure you have an asthma action plan and are proactively managing your symptoms.
鈥淚t鈥檚 also important for people to know Asthma first aid, so they can help family and friends when they need it,鈥� Dr Broome said.
The four steps to remember are:
Breathing difficulties can be life threatening. In the event of an asthma emergency dial triple zero (000) immediately.