Children spend the majority of their days at school, in childcare, or in after-school sports and activities. Many of these children suffer from asthma, including about 1 in 15 student athletes. Although physical activity can sometimes trigger an attack, it can also improve breathing and lead to fewer attacks in people with well-controlled asthma.
There are several things that schools, childcare facilities, and coaches can do to ensure the health and safety of students with asthma:
- Make sure you identify students with asthma;
- Make sure you can identify the signs and symptoms of an asthma attack or worsening asthma;
- Check the daily air quality;
- Check out the Asthma Clipboard Program. The program is a 30-minute online education program that focuses on:
- How to identify students experiencing worsening asthma on an asthma attack;
- What medications are used and when to use them;
- Ways to prevent exercise-induced asthma; and
- Steps to take when athletes are experiencing worsening asthma or asthma attacks.
- Have an asthmatic student create an Asthma Action Plan with his or her doctor and keep a copy for your records;
- For health questions related to your student’s school, please contact the Public Health Nurse in your area.