World Asthma Day 2006, May 2

In this Issue April 2006

World Asthma Day May 2, 2006

Conference Diary 2006

World Asthma Day May 2, 2006

For World Asthma Day, the National Asthma Council Australia is urging the over 2.2 million Australians with asthma to prepare, or update, their written Asthma Action Plans.

The theme of World Asthma Day this year is ‘the unmet needs of asthma’ and, one of the most common unmet needs in Australia is the need for a written Asthma Action Plan. These written instructions help people with asthma, as well as their family, carers and neighbours, recognise how to tell if asthma symptoms are getting worse, and what action to take.

People who have a written Asthma Action Plan have better controlled asthma, fewer asthma symptoms and fewer days off work or school because of asthma.

"Asthma prevalence in Australia is relatively high but we can minimise its impact through greater awareness and understanding. The recognition of asthma as a national health priority has given enormous impetus to better asthma management here.

World Asthma Day is an occasion that should remind Australians, with some pride, of the importance of working together to become world leaders in tackling health issues and remind us to continue to be vigilant in our attack on asthma.

Unfortunately, many Australians with asthma do not have a written Asthma Action Plan, despite evidence that shows that asthma self-management programs that involve a written action plan have a greater reduction in hospitalisation than those that do not.¹ Research shows that written Asthma Action Plans keep people with asthma in control of their condition. They are better equipped to recognise deterioration of their symptoms and can respond appropriately.

In the same way that daylight savings signals the time to change your smoke alarm battery, World Asthma Day is the time to make a resolution to consult your GP and prepare a written plan, or if you already have a plan, make sure it is up-to-date. It’s a little bit of precaution that could save a life.

There is no cure for asthma, but asthma deaths are preventable - we just need to continue to take it seriously.

Poorly managed asthma can be fatal. According to the latest statistics, 311 Australians died from asthma in 2004.

These figures reinforce the need for increased vigilance, particularly amongst adult populations who can become lax about adhering to their personal asthma action plans.”

Associate Professor John Wilson
Chairman, National Asthma Council Australia

For more information

See Written Asthma Action Plans

Reference

1. Gibson, P. G., J. Coughlan, et al. (2000). "Self-management education and regular practitioner review for adults with asthma." (2): CD001117.

Autumn, asthma and influenza

Autumn from a
Melbourne veranda

Checking in with your GP to review your written Asthma Action Plan in Autumn is also a good time to organise an influenza vaccination.

Australia has had great success in vaccinating people 65 years and over, with around 80% of this age group getting vaccinated, whereas only 42% of people under 65 with at-risk conditions receive the annual influenza vaccination.

Influenza vaccination is currently recommended for all who want it and particularly recommended for

children 6 months and older with severe asthma (frequent asthma attacks or regular hospital admissions)
teenagers with severe asthma
adults with severe asthma
anybody aged 65 and over regardless of their health status
pregnant women with severe asthma or women with asthma who anticipate being pregnant through the winter. (It is wise to be vaccinated before the pregnancy.)

Other underlying medical conditions which put people at greater risk of complications from respiratory infections such as influenza are:

chronic respiratory diseases – such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
chronic heart disease – such as ischemic heart disease, angina or those who have suffered a heart attack
diabetes and
renal disease.

Best time for vaccination

For most parts of Australia influenza vaccination is best carried out in the autumn, before serious outbreaks can begin to occur. The majority of people will become infected between July-September. You should visit your GP now, before the winter season starts, to get vaccinated against influenza. In the far north of Australia influenza outbreaks can occur early in the year and vaccination should be practiced as early as possible. It usually takes about two weeks for full immunity to develop.

While some respiratory infections – such as the common cold – are generally easy to recover from, others like influenza can result in serious illness and even death. This is particularly the case for people who have underlying medical conditions which put them at greater risk of complications from respiratory infection. Many people who should be vaccinated are not, because they believe being fit and healthy will protect them against influenza. This is not the case.

Something in the air

Woman wiping her nose Influenza is spread when infected people cough or sneeze into the air, transmitting droplets which are breathed in by other people. One cough or sneeze can transmit the virus up to two metres.

It is estimated that a person who has influenza could pass it on to up to a dozen other people. The infection can also be acquired by contact by hand to face (mouth, eye) contact with contaminated surfaces.

Influenza is highly contagious. After someone coughs or sneezes the virus can survive for:

up to an hour in the air in enclosed environments.
more than eight hours on hard surfaces such as stainless steel and plastic.
up to five minutes on hands after transfer from other surfaces.

Reduce your risks

Washing hands There are a number of things people can do to protect themselves against influenza, whether it’s a future influenza pandemic or this winter’s seasonal influenza:

Vaccination is the best way of helping protect yourself against influenza
Hand washing and personal hygiene, such as trying not to touch your mouth or nose are also important preventative measures
Where possible, avoid crowds when influenza is prevalent

For more information see our Autumn Feature.

Asthma and pain relievers

Up to 20% of people with asthma may have an asthma attack after taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), used to treat pain, muscle and joint inflammation, colds or flu. This is known as aspirin-induced asthma. The attack may be preceded by a runny nose or hay fever-like symptoms, sneezing and flushing of the face. The attack can be very severe and life threatening.

What pain relievers may affect my asthma?

Aspirin and NSAIDs are safe for the majority of people with asthma. However, if you have aspirin-induced asthma, you must avoid aspirin and NSAIDs.

Some people require low-dose aspirin for heart conditions or NSAIDs for the treatment of arthritis. If you have aspirin-induced asthma, desensitisation to aspirin is possible. This must only be done under the supervision of a specialist with experience of the procedure.

If you are unsure if a particular medicine might trigger your asthma, ask your GP or pharmacist before you take it.

What pain relievers are safe for me to take?

Medicines containing paracetamol and ibuprofen (an NSAID) are generally safe for people with asthma, including children. However, if you have aspirin-induced asthma, you must consult your doctor about pain relief.

The newer prescription NSAIDs appear less likely to cause problems in people with aspirin-induced asthma. Always check with your doctor before using these medicines.

Non-prescription pain relievers and asthma

There are a number of pain relievers, such as aspirin and some NSAIDs, which you can buy from your local pharmacy or supermarket without a prescription. Some of these products can also be used for the treatment of colds and flu. Always ask your doctor and pharmacist and check the ingredients to determine whether these products are likely to trigger your asthma.

Note: Aspirin is contra-indicated in children or adolescents under 16 years of age with febrile illness, not because of concerns about associated bronchospasm, but because of the association with Reye’s syndrome (an acute illness producing inflammation of the brain and liver).

Summary of safety in children

Aspirin-containing medications are associated with Reye’s syndrome, and therefore should be avoided in all children and adolescents under 16 with febrile illness.
Both paracetamol and ibuprofen appear to be safe for the group of children with asthma but with no history of sensitivity or markers of risk for aspirin-induced asthma (e.g. nasal polyps or angio-oedema). There is no convincing evidence currently in the medical literature to recommend one agent over the other.

For more information see

Asthma and Pain Relievers: Taking pain relievers safely (for consumers)

Asthma and Pain Relievers: An information paper for health professionals

Smoking and asthma - follow up

As we outlined in our February Newsletter, all tobacco product packages produced from March 1, 2006 will carry new pictorial health warnings. These warnings are starting to appear on packs.

Quit Victoria and partners from NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania, have developed a new mass media campaign to capitalise on the graphic health warnings and encourage smokers to quit.

The Cancer Institute NSW and Quit Victoria commissioned research to develop a campaign that has relevance and potential impact on the main target audience, 18 to 40 year old smokers. In addition the campaign aims to impact on youth and non-smokers to prevent uptake, and on recent quitters to reinforce their decision to quit.

This year’s World No Tobacco Day is being held on May 31. The theme, "Tobacco: Deadly in any form or disguise", complements the new health warnings campaign very effectively.

In Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania, free World No Tobacco Day/Campaign information kits will be available.

Victorian organisations and health professionals can order a kit from Quit Victoria (http://www.quit.org.au/).

Resources will be mailed out later in May. If you are outside Victoria please contact your local State or Territory Quit organisation.

Research Funding Opportunities

The National Asthma Council would be pleased to list funding opportunities that may be available for asthma research. Submit brief details for consideration by email to editor@nationalasthma.com.au.

Conference Diary 2006

Submit brief conference/meeting details to the National Asthma Council for possible posting in our Conference Diary by email to editor@nationalasthma.com.au.

	American Thoracic Society, International Conference San Diego 19-24 May, 2006 ATS 2006 (http://www.thoracic.org/sections/meetings-and-courses/international-conference/2006/index.html)
	General Practitioners Conference and Exhibition Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park 26-28 May, 2006 GPCE Sydney (http://www.gpce.com.au/sydney/)
	IPCRG 3rd World Conference "Respiratory Disease in Primary Care – Quality of care" 8-11 June, 2006 Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel, Oslo, Norway. theipcrg.org/oslo2006 (http://www.theipcrg.org/oslo2006/)
	European Respiratory Society Annual Congress Sept 2-6, 2006 The International Congress Centre Munich Munich, Germany ERS Annual Congress (http://www.ersnet.org/ers/default.aspx?id=2112)
	17th ASCIA Annual Scientific Meeting Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia 7-10 September, 2006 ASCIA (http://www.allergy.org.au/)
	RACGP 49th Annual Scientific Convention Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre 5-8 October, 2006 Be the Future (http://www.racgp.org.au/asc2006/index.asp)
	PAC2006 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Cairns Convention Centre 6-8 October, 2006 PAC2006 (http://www.astmanagement.com.au/PAC6/Default.htm
	2006 Australian Asthma Conference ‘Every Breath Matters’ Adelaide Convention Centre, South Australia 22-25 October, 2006 AAC 2006 (http://www.aomevents.com/conferences/AAC/)
	General Practitioner Conference & Exhibition 17-19 November 2006 Melbourne Exhibition Centre GPCE 2006 (http://www.gpce.com.au/melbourne/)
	ACRRM 4th Scientific Forum University of Adelaide 16-19 November, 2006 ACRRM (http://www.acrrm.org.au)