Asthma and school

Asthma management should not stop when children are at school. You can help ensure your child’s school experience is all it should be, by sharing information about your child’s asthma with his or her teachers and the school nurse. This can be done with a few phone calls, a letter or a visit before school begins. Give a copy of your child’s asthma action plan (PDF) to teachers – especially physical education teachers – and to the school health office.

The asthma action plan will contain most of the information school staff need to know about your child’s asthma, but other key information to share includes the following.

• Your child is allowed to carry medications and a peak flow meter with him or her in case they are needed, as long as the school nurse or your doctor verifies the child has the skill to self-administer the medicine. If the child cannot use the inhaler on his or her own, ask that it be kept in a safe place in the classroom (as opposed to the school health office), such as the teacher’s desk so it is quickly accessible.
• Your child can participate fully in all physical activities, but may need to take medication beforehand. Your child should be allowed to rest from physical activities and take medications if needed.
• Encourage teachers to call you if they have concerns about the way your child is caring for his or her asthma at school (for example, taking medication too often or not often enough).

Sick days

Unfortunately, asthma causes more missed days from school than any other chronic childhood illness. When asthma is under control, absenteeism can be reduced and children can participate in regular school activities.

In general, your child can go to school if he or she has:

• a stuffy nose, but no wheezing
• mild wheezing that clears after taking medication

Keep your child home from school if he or she has:

• evidence of an infection, a sore throat or swollen, painful neck glands
• a temperature over 100.5°F when taken by mouth
• wheezing that continues an hour after medication is given
• weakness or tiredness that makes it difficult to participate in usual daily activities
• difficulty breathing