Family LIFE
Back to School with Asthma:
How to Avoid the September Asthma Spike
E
very year about 2 to 3 weeks
after school students return
to school there is a spike in
asthma attacks or flare ups. This results
in a dramatic increase in children suf-
fering from increased asthma symp-
toms (cough, wheeze, shortness of
breath) often requiring visits to emer-
gency room or hospital admissions.
Children returning to school face
increased exposure to viral infections
(colds) and allergens such as mould or
dust-mites found in the classroom.
During the summer vacation our
regular routines are changed and
many children with asthma forget or
do not keep up their daily asthma
prevention inhalers (usually brown or
orange). This leaves them vulnerable
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BERMUDA PARENT MAGAZINE
BY OPEN AIRWAYS
to the triggers they encounter on
return to school.
What can you do to prevent the
asthma spike?
1. At least 2 weeks before school
resumes ensure your child is taking
their asthma preventer inhalers
daily as prescribed.
2. Have an asthma review with their
doctor and update or develop a
written asthma action plan.
3. Make sure your child knows what
to do if they experience an asthma
attack at school, do they know
where their relief inhaler (Ventolin)
is kept? Do they know how to use
their relief inhaler?
4. Ensure they have a relief inhaler
with spacer correctly labelled at
school, check expiration dates.
5. Speak to the school about your
child’s asthma, do the teachers
know what to do if your child has
an asthma attack?
6. Ask your school if the school staff
have taken the Open Airways
online supporting children’s health
asthma course available at www.
openairways.com
7. Teach your child good hand wash-
ing techniques.
8. If your child is sick keep them
home from school.