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Authors: Drs. Stacey Kallem, Daniel Taylor, Kendra McDow, Allison Neeson, Tyra Bryant-Stephens, and Chen Kenyon
As pediatricians from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), St Christopher's, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and the Philadelphia School District, we want you to be prepared for your child’s asthma this school year. As you and your child get ready to go back to school this fall, don’t forget to put your child’s asthma care on the back-to-school checklist!
While asthma symptoms usually get better during the summer, asthma flare-ups are very common in September, when kids go back to school. This is because there are more viruses and allergens in the air during the fall. These trigger asthma flare-ups. This school year, it is extra important to be ready for your child’s asthma because one of the most common asthma medications is no longer being made. It is important to know your child’s medication prescriptions might have changed. Philadelphia has already seen many emergency room visits, hospital stays, and even child deaths from asthma.
To help your child stay healthy this fall, here are a few essentials for your back-to-school asthma checklist:
1. Reduce asthma triggers.
Common triggers for asthma include cigarette smoke, dust mites, mold, pet fur, and common viruses. Reduce triggers from your home before the school year starts. Do not allow any smoking inside. Cover mattresses and pillows with dust-proof covers. Wash sheets, blankets, and stuffed animals. Ensure your child gets the flu shot to help prevent infection that can trigger asthma.
2. Healthcare provider check-up.
Make an asthma check-up appointment with your child’s healthcare provider if it's been longer than 3 months since their last visit. Discuss with your child’s asthma provider any symptoms that you are concerned about. They may need to increase their controller medication for the fall.
3. Prepare your child’s school.
Make sure your child’s school is ready to care for their asthma symptoms by asking your health care provider for (1) an extra inhaler and spacer (holding chamber), (2) a signed MED-1 or Request for Administration of Medication form which allows the school to give the medication to your child as directed by the provider, (3) a copy of their Asthma Action Plan. This will ensure that the school nurse has the tools they need to care for your child if they have asthma symptoms while at school.
4. Daily controller medication.
If your child is prescribed a daily “controller” medication to help prevent asthma flare-ups, it is important that your child takes their controller medication as prescribed every day (even if they feel well), especially at the start of the school year and during the respiratory virus season. It can be hard to remember to take an everyday medication; one tip is to set a daily alarm on your phone at a time when you and your child are together as a reminder to take the medicine.
5. Asthma medication refills.
Make sure your child’s asthma medications aren’t expired or empty and that you have medications for home and school. Some, but not all, inhalers have a counter that shows how many “puffs” are left. If the counter says 30 or less or if you aren’t sure how much medicine is left, contact your child’s asthma provider.
Remember, if your child needs their rescue inhaler more than 2 to 4 puffs every 4 hours at home or at school, contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room.
With these 5 steps, going back to school can be smoother and safer for kids with asthma, so that all kids can start the school year healthy, happy, and breathing a little easier. Here is a link to this checklist and community events where you can learn more.
Asthma Checklist (English):
https://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/asthma-families-checklist.pdf
Asthma Checklist (Spanish):
https://media.chop.edu/data/files/pdfs/asthma-families-checklist-spa.pdf
Related Resources:
https://cap4kids.org/philadelphia/parent-handouts/physical-health-resources/asthma-resources/