In April, Forest Fire Management Victoria conducted planned burns to help reduce bushfire risks to the local towns.

It is not unusual during these times for GPs to have more presentations of patients of all age groups with respiratory problems, including asthma, bronchitis and respiratory symptoms — cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, irritation of eyes and sinus congestion.

In my practice, a 10-year-old boy with a history of infrequent infective exacerbation of asthma came in with his mother visibly distressed, complaining of chest tightness, difficulty breathing, wheeze and cough.

He wasn’t febrile and hadn’t experienced a recent viral infection, which was his usual trigger for asthma.