Asthma charity Open Airways has warned parents and pupils of an annual September spike in asthma attacks as it tackled concerns about Covid-19.

A spokeswoman said that well-controlled asthma was the best defence.

She added: “During these challenging times parents may have extra concerns if their child has asthma.

“The good news is that children with asthma are no more likely to get Covid-19 than their peers and children who do get the coronavirus tend to have mild symptoms like the common cold.”

The spokeswoman said that there had been so few cases of Covid-19 in children that it was hard to predict how an infection may affect a child with asthma.

But she added asthma and Covid-19 both affected the lungs, so a child may develop more severe symptoms if they already had asthma.

The spokeswoman told parents: “That is why it is so important to ensure that your child’s asthma is well controlled.

“Every September as students return to school, we see an increase in asthma attacks and hospital visits due to asthma.

“When children gather again at school, there is an increased chance of them catching viruses such as the common cold, and this year the Covid-19 coronavirus, which may trigger asthma symptoms.”

The spokeswoman said: “Many children’s routines are different during the summer, meaning that they may not have used their preventer inhalers every day making their airways more sensitive to asthma triggers. Being inside a classroom can be a source of asthma triggers or allergens such as mould or dust mites.

“This can all lead to an increase in number of students having an increase in their asthma symptoms.

She said that using a preventer inhaler every day calmed the sensitive airways and controlled inflammation in airways.

The spokeswoman highlighted that well-controlled asthma reduced the chances that exposure to triggers such as viruses, including the Covid-19 virus, or allergens would cause an asthma attack. The spokeswoman said that youngsters with asthma should have a review by a doctor every year.

The doctor should supply an asthma action plan — a written guide on how to mange the condition.

The action plan should also explain what to do if a child’s asthma symptoms got worse.

The doctor should also check a child’s asthma medications and inhaler technique.

The charity also issued a checklist for parents.

This included making sure a child knew what to do if they have an asthma attack at school and that they had an in date relief/emergency inhaler with spacer.

Parents should also make sure their child’s name was on the school asthma register and that teachers knew what to do if an attack happened.

They should also check school staff had taken the Open Airways online course on childhood asthma at www.openairways.com.

The charity added children should learn good hand-washing techniques, eat a healthy diet and get plenty of fresh air and exercise.

Children should also get a flu shot and should be kept at home if they become sick.

• For more information or a free individual consultation with an asthma nurse, contact Open Airways at 232 0264 or nurse@openairways.com