little ones
BY NURSE TRACY NASH – OPEN AIRWAYS – DIRECTOR OF ASTHMA EDUCATION
A Parent’s Guide to
A s thma,
G
The Goal is Control.
oing back to school in
September is an exciting
and busy time for both
students and parents, however
if you are the parent of a child
with asthma it is important
to be prepared.
The start of the
school year is
known to bring
a sharp rise in
the number of
asthma attacks
and emergency
room visits. As
classrooms are
opened after the
summer and students return
with a variety of different virus
and cold infections, the first
few weeks can be challenging
for a student with asthma. been well and not using their preventer
inhalers but now is the time to ensure
they are using their preventer inhalers
daily as prescribed, prevention needs to
be built up in the body and can take up
to two weeks before the full protec-
tion is felt.
Back to school asthma to do list: Make sure your child has an annual
review with their pediatrician
Your child should have a written
“Asthma Action Plan” now is the time
to review that plan with your doctor or
health care professional, a copy of the
asthma action plan should be given
to your child’s school. Asthma Action
Preparation for back to school should
start at least two weeks before school
resumes.
Ensure your child uses their preventer
inhaler every day to keep their
asthma away
Over the summer your child may have
10
Ensure your child has
a reliever inhaler and
a spacer for use at
school
Make sure your child’s
medications are in
date and correctly
labelled, and that your
child knows how and when
to take the medications. Each
child should have a relief inhaler such
as Ventolin or Airomir and a spacer
available at all times, either in the
school bag or held by the teacher for
younger children.
Plans are available from the Depart-
ment of Health clinic or ask your doctor
for one.
Make sure your child understands
their asthma
Talk to your child about their asthma
and answer any questions they may
have about managing their asthma at
school. Do they know where to go to
access their relief inhalers? Do they un-
derstand when they need to take their
relief inhalers?