News Release

“Back to School” follows a spike in asthma hospitalizations

For Immediate Release

September 3, 2019

TORONTO, ON, September 3, 2019 – September is the month when children across Canada return to school. Unfortunately, the September back-to-school period brings a dramatic increase in hospitalizations for children with asthma. The third week of September, in particular, is known as the September Asthma Peak.

In Canada, approximately 20% to 25% of children’s hospital admissions for asthma occur in September.

There are numerous causes for the spike in asthma exacerbation in school-aged children around the third week of September. Kids returning to school face increased exposure to viral infections, making up to 85% of childhood asthma flare-ups, with more than 60% of those admitted to emergency rooms with asthma also suffering from rhinovirus (the common cold). For kids with asthma, especially Severe Asthma, a simple cold can lead to dangerous symptoms and unscheduled visits to doctors and emergency rooms.

Asthma attacks during the September Asthma Peak are also associated with a rise in seasonal allergens such as weed pollens. Furthermore, summer tends to disrupt the routine of regular controller usage, leaving children more susceptible to asthma attacks in the fall. Classrooms also present greater exposure to asthma triggers such as dust mites, moulds and animal dander.

The good news is, with proper management, 90% of asthma-related hospital admissions can be avoided.

“Parents and children can take a few simple precautions to help prevent a trip to the emergency room,” said Vanessa Foran, President & CEO of Asthma Canada. “The practical tips that we suggest can significantly increase the likelihood of a safe and symptom-free start to the academic year.”

Asthma Canada encourages parents of children living with asthma to develop a personalized Asthma Action Plan for their kids together with their doctor. The plan is used to identify early warning signs of an asthma exacerbation and is proven to help better manage a child’s asthma. A fillable template can be downloaded for free from our website.

Asthma Canada also recommends parents follow these tips:

• Share a copy of your child’s Asthma Action Plan with school officials and teachers.
• Help your child understand their asthma triggers and teach them how to avoid them.
• Make sure your child takes their asthma-prevention medication as prescribed, even when they are symptom-free.
• Make sure your child knows how to use their puffer by themselves (if old enough), or when to ask an adult for help. It is advisable to refresh inhaler techniques with the help of a healthcare provider. Children should also be using a valved-holding chamber (spacer)with metered-dose inhalers.
• Ask school officials about rules for asthma medications and ensure your child is able to carry their medications on hand at all times.
• Teach your child proper hand washing techniques and stress the importance of frequent hand-washing to avoid catching a cold.
• Keep your child at home if they are sick.
• Make sure your child and other family members get the seasonal flu shot every year. It is important to ensure all immunizations are up-to-date.
• Schedule regular asthma check-ups to properly control your child’s asthma.

A number of September Asthma Peak resources are available on Asthma Canada’s website to help parents prepare their children for a safe and healthy return to school.

About Asthma Canada

Asthma Canada is a national organization that provides evidence-based asthma information, education, management tools and support programs for all Canadians living with asthma. Asthma Canada continues to expand and improve its collection of educational resources for campaigns such as the September Asthma Peak. More information about Asthma Canada’s programs and services can be found at http://www.asthma.ca.

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Media Contact:
Vanessa Foran
President & CEO, Asthma Canada
vanessa.foran@asthma.ca
416-787-4050 x102