Over 2 million Australians have currently doctor diagnosed asthma. That’s one in nine Australian children and one in ten adults in our community who have asthma. In Victoria alone there are over 600,000 people with asthma. The prevalence of asthma in Australia is high by international standards.

Asthma is a common reason for hospital admissions in children under 12. In primary school aged children asthma is more common among boys than girls. After teenage years, more women have asthma than men.

Unfortunately, in 2007, 385 people in Australia died from asthma. The risk of dying from asthma increases with age.

People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When exposed to certain triggers, their airways narrow, making it hard for them to breathe.

For more detailed information about asthma click Asthma the Basics.

Sometimes people experience a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis.

Up to 2% of the general population and up to 5% of children are at risk of anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is extremely serious and is life threatening. Anaphylaxis requires urgent assistance commencing with emergency first aid procedures involving the administration of adrenaline using an auto injecting device.

For more detailed information about anaphylaxis click Anaphylaxis the Basics