SOUTH Australians are being reminded of the serious dangers of asthma, which can be exacerbated during peak hay fever season.
SA Health’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Nicola Spurrier said high pollen counts in spring leads to exacerbated asthma symptoms and subsequent high rates of asthma-related hospitalisations in South Australia.
“Asthma affects 2.3 million Australians and 80pc of people with asthma also have hay fever,” Dr Spurrier said.
“In South Australia we have the highest rates of asthma-related hospitalisations and mortality per capita in the nation and during spring the allergies that cause hay fever can make asthma even more difficult to manage.”
This year, SA Health has partnered with Asthma Australia to warn people with asthma and allergies of the dangers of days of increased pollen count.
Asthma Foundation SA’s asthma management program coordinator Clara Tait said hay fever, with its associated itching, sneezing, runny nose or eyes or blocked nose occurs during the pollen season.
“This can be a miserable time for many South Australians, but people with asthma and hayfever need not be excluded from experiencing the joys of spring,” Ms Tait said.
