Thunderstorm asthma season officially runs from October to the end of December, but the peak risk occurs around the middle of November.
The Bureau of Meteorology says pollen will be high this week and thunderstorms are forecast for Wednesday, November 11.
Ambulance Victoria’s Emergency Management director Justin Dunlop said asthma, seasonal hayfever and COVID-19 had some symptoms in common.
“Symptoms of hay fever include a runny or itchy nose, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes while asthma symptoms including wheezing, breathlessness, a tight chest and persistent cough,” he said.
Mr Dunlop said that was why it was important for people to manage their hayfever and asthma appropriately.
“If you suffer from seasonal hay fever you are at increased risk of asthma developing during a thunderstorm asthma event, so speak to your GP or pharmacist about treatment and whether you need to have an asthma preventer,” he said.
“If you are an asthma suffer, make sure you discuss your management plan with your GP and have plenty of preventer and reliever medication and a spacer on hand.”
Mr Dunlop said people should also avoid being outside during thunderstorms, particularly in the wind gusts before the rain.
“If possible, go inside your house or car and close your doors and windows. If you have an air conditioner, switch it on to recirculate the air,” he said.
“Don’t hesitate to call 000 if you or someone near you is experiencing symptoms such as obvious difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing, unable to speak a full sentence in one breath or reliever medication isn’t lasting as long as usual.”
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