Going 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 up after the summer and students return with a variety of virus and cold infections, the first few weeks can be challenging for a student with asthma.

Back to school asthma to do list:

* Preparation for back to school should start at least two weeks before school resumes. Over the summer your child may have been well and not using their preventer inhalers but now is the time to ensure they are using them daily as prescribed; prevention needs to be built up in the body and can take up to two weeks before it is fully felt.

* 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 Airomir or Ventolin and a spacer available at all times, either in the school bag or held by the teacher for younger children.

* Make sure your child understands how to manage 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 understand when they need to take their relief inhalers?

* Make sure you and your child knows their asthma triggers and how to avoid them when possible. Common classroom triggers include dust, mould, and strong smells such as perfume or chemicals.

* Your child should have a written ‘Asthma Action Plan’. Now is the time to review that plan with your doctor or healthcare professional and give a copy of it to your child’s school. Make sure your child is on the school asthma register and that your child’s teacher knows the nature and severity of your child’s asthma. Asthma Action Plans are available from the Department of Health clinic or ask your doctor for one.

* Fight germs and infections by washing hands often. Teach your child and everyone in the family about the importance of good hand hygiene, washing hands with soap and water or hand sanitiser.

* The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for all children with asthma; make sure you and your child get the flu shot as soon as it is available.

* Encourage your child to eat a healthy diet and get plenty of fresh air and exercise.

Let’s be prepared in Bermuda and make sure we do not see large numbers of children visiting KEMH emergency room just after school starts.

Tracy Nash is an asthma nurse educator with Open Airways

For more information, contact:

Open Airways, www.openairways.com or 232-0264

Tracy Nash (Open Airways) oatn@northrock.bm or 232-6274

Deann Trott (Asthma School Nurse) djtrott@gov.bm or 332-8915.

For more articles to help you through the 2014/15 school year, see The Royal Gazette’s Back to School Supplement, out tomorrow.