Asthma Peak Week in September!

 

(Allergy & Asthma Network) 

Did you know that the 3rd week in September is called the "September Asthma Peak"?

 

What does that mean?

More kids end up in the hospital during this week than ANY other week of the year! Yikes!

You might think there would be more kids in the ER or admitted to the hospital during cold and flu season in winter, but it's actually in September. 

 

Why?

There are several causes:

• School - Kids are back in school which means animal dander from other student's clothing, possible mold in schools, and stinky exhaust from idling school buses
  
• Fall allergies - I really, really, really hate ragweed!
• Germ factory - it's easy to get infections from the other students
  
• Stress and anxiety with a new school year - even worse this year with COVID...
• Not taking meds - kids may be out of the habit of using their controller inhalers 

 

What can you do? 

 

• Albuterol - make sure they have a full albuterol inhaler in their backpack (every state allows students to self-carry and self administer) 
  
• Take their meds - nag your kids to take their controller inhaler every day and every night
  
• Asthma Action Plan - make sure you have a new form filled out for this school year and that the teacher and school nurse have a copy
  
• Good hygiene - have your child wash their hands, wash their hands, wash their hands! It also helps if the teacher reminds students to sneeze into their elbow (and not their hand!) 
• Flu shot  - we get the flu shot EVERY year. I got Influenza A one year and the ER Doc said I would have been a lot sicker and admitted to the hospital if I hadn't had the shot

 

I know it's nerve wracking to have kids in school now. COVID puts a different spin on all school settings. 

Kids with asthma have enough problems staying healthy. Let's do all we can to protect them!

Good luck!