Back to School with Asthma & COVID-19
Normally, back to school means the return of germ swapping and a dramatic increase in serious asthma attacks known as the September Epidemic. COVID-19 has changed back to school and has focused attention on how to avoid catching infections.
Percentage of asthma attacks that are caused by viral infections:
80% in children
50% in adults
Ways to Protect Against COVID-19
- Wash hands or use hand sanitizer often, especially before eating and touching the face and after coughing, sneezing and using the restroom.
- Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth with a tissue or the crook of your elbow when sneezing and coughing.
- Wear a mask in public places, including school buildings.
- Follow social distancing guidelines
- Replace hugs and handshakes with elbow or foot bumping, a head nod, slight bow or other no-touch greetings.
- Keep your fingernails short and clean to keep germs at bay.
- Stay home when you have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
- Stay up-to-date on immunizations including the flu vaccine.
Watch for COVID-19 Symptoms in Children
Most common
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Less common
- Fatigue
- Nasal congestion
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Chills or shaking chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
Stay on Top of Asthma
- Follow an Asthma Action Plan.
- Monitor breathing and peak flow rates.
- Consistently use asthma and allergy medications, even when symptom free.
- Minimize environmental triggers.
- Keep medication refills on hand.
- Keep asthma medication and peak flow meter at school.
Asthma by the Numbers
- 13.8M school days missed annually due to asthma
- 14.2M work days missed annually due to asthma
- 25% of all children’s asthma hospitalizations happen in September
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