Today is the first day of Spring -a time when grass pollen can play havoc and cause hay fever so it is appropriate that this week is also Asthma Week.

Australia has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world with 1 in 10 – over 2 million Australians suffering with the coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, and which if not managed properly can be fatal.

Unfortunately, the last 6 months with COVID-19 restrictions have particularly impacted Asthma testing and diagnosis because it can generate droplets that might put GP’s at risk.

The problem is that lung function testing is as critical to a respiratory physician to help diagnose Asthma as an ECG to a cardiologist to diagnose a heart condition.

Dr Samatha Herath is a respiratory physician at Sydney Adventist Hospital who now has a lung testing laboratory in her rooms. She speaks with John Stanley

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