Due to the current combination of grass pollen and severe thunderstorms, a high risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma conditions has been forecast in the Wimmera and South West weather districts today.
Those with asthma or hay fever are advised to stay inside, close doors and windows and avoid wind gusts before and during the storm. Reliever medication should be carried at all times today.
Current weather conditions can be viewed via the Bureau of Meteorology, while further updates can be found at www.emergency.vic.gov.au
If your child is wheezing or struggling to breathe, treatment is the same as for an asthma attack. If you don’t have any asthma medication, call 000 straight away.
- Sit your child upright and give reassurance – do not leave them alone.
- Without delay, give your child four separate puffs of the blue/grey reliever medication (such as Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl or Ventolin). If using a puffer (like Ventolin or Asmol), this should be taken one puff at a time via a spacer. Ask your child to take four breaths from the spacer after each puff of medication.
- Wait four minutes. If there is little or no improvement, repeat steps 2 and 3.
- If there is still no improvement, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance immediately. Repeat steps 2 and 3 continuously while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
More information
- For more information on asthma plans, visit Asthma Australia
- For more information on thunderstorm asthma, visit Better Health Channel
See your GP if you think your child is at risk of thunderstorm asthma, or to ensure you have an up-to-date asthma management plan. You can read more on asthma in our Kids Health Info fact sheet on Asthma.