The start of a new school year is always a busy time for families and for many children, a time for excitement and anticipation. For parents of children who have asthma, a new school year is a time when even more planning is needed to make sure their children stay safe and healthy at school..

A number of recent studies of trends in asthma have revealed that there is a September “epidemic” peak in hospital admissions, emergency department visits and GP consultations for childhood asthma that is related directly to the return to school.

For some children with asthma, the summer holidays may be a reprieve from attacks and flare-ups, and, from their usual asthma medications. However, in the autumn increased exposure to asthma triggers, like indoor allergens, and colds or viruses, which tend to spread around schools during the first few weeks, can mark the return of symptoms and the need for their medicines.