31 May Winter Warnings from the National Asthma Council Australia
The National Asthma Council Australia posted an article on world asthma day this month with a warning for a particularly unpredictable winter season for asthmatics. Viral asthma is the cause for over 80% of flare ups, the article strongly advises all asthmatics to receive a flu shot as well as a fourth COVID-19 booster as soon as they are made available due to travelling restrictions now being lifted and Omicron BA.2 now being Australia’s dominant variant.
Two new asthma education resources have been released by the National Asthma Council, a new chart providing visual references for medication selection for asthmatics and COPD patients and some important updates to the Australian asthma handbook. The updates reinforce current methods and authority sources, includes more supportive content for practitioners and highlights the concern for long term over-use of short acting beta-2 agonists to treat chronic asthma.
The National Asthma Council Australia urges people to keep updated on current asthma authorities during this winter, continue taking medications as prescribed and if you have any concerns be sure to book in with your general practitioner for a discussion about your respiratory health this season.
Asthma expert warns “uniquely unpredictable” winter ahead: https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/news/2022/asthma-expert-warns-uniquely-unpredictable-winter-ahead
Selecting & Adjusting Asthma Medication for Adults & Adolescents: https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-asthma/resources/health-professionals/charts/selecting-and-adjusting-asthma-medications
Important updates to Australian Asthma Handbook: https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/news/2022/important-updated-to-australian-asthma-handbook-1
Australian Asthma Handbook: https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/