As children head back to the classrooms, an increase in back-to-school asthma attacks is likely.
As schools across Northern Ireland reopen, one mum has opened up about fearing her children might have a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.
As children head back to the classrooms, Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland warns that an increase in back-to-school asthma attacks is likely.
The number of asthma emergency admissions for children under 16 more than doubled between August and September in the last two years. In Northern Ireland, asthma affects around 40,000 youngsters.
Hayley, who has three children, Ruben, Mila, and Leighton, with asthma and lives in Derry, says it’s always a worrying time when the children go back to school in September, because of circulating viruses and dust.
She said: “Luckily, because my son Ruben goes to a special needs school as he is autistic and nonverbal, the classes are very small, so it’s not so much of a worry with him and his asthma.
“Mila, on the other hand, has many allergies and triggers including dust and always picks up bugs especially at the beginning of the autumn term. We try to avoid the dust and the school is great, she doesn’t sit on the carpet, but on a chair and if there are lots of bugs going around, she can do her work in a breakout room.
“We have a robust asthma care plan in place and a great relationship with the local asthma nurse. We maintain a good preventer inhaler routine, including over the holidays and we use antihistamines too.
“Mila is of an age now where she is very conscientious about taking her preventer inhaler, really listens to her body, and is confident to ask for help if she needs it.
“My youngest Leighton is just being tested now for asthma, but we will of course be watchful when he returns to school.”
Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland says that preventer inhaler routines can often get disrupted over the holidays, leading to children’s airways becoming more sensitive to asthma triggers when they go back to school. These triggers often include an abundance of viruses and colds as well as dust.
Across 2023/24 and 2024/25, asthma emergency admissions among children under 16 more than doubled when children returned to school after the summer holidays. Meanwhile the autumn term was responsible for 37% (154 out of 421 annual total) of childhood (under 16) asthma emergency admissions in 2024/25.
In 2024/25 (April 2024 to March 2025), there were 421 asthma emergency hospital admissions for children under 16.
Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland, said: “When children return to school after the summer holidays, a rise in the number of asthma attacks is often seen, unfortunately leading to more hospital visits. An increase in viruses, coughs and colds or dust mites in schools could be to blame.
“With this in mind, Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland is asking parents and teachers to look out for signs that their child or pupil’s asthma may be worsening. This could be breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and if it is, to take urgent action.
“Over the hectic summer holidays, preventer inhaler routines can sometimes slip, which can leave children much more vulnerable to an asthma attack when they return to school and are around more triggers.
“As a reminder too for schools, we would encourage them to download our fantastic free Asthma at School poster which can be found on our website, so they are prepared for the new term and know what to do if a pupil does have an asthma attack.”
Professor Sir Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland has welcomed the campaign for raising important awareness about asthma.
He said: “Any respiratory infections and viruses in the classroom can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening asthma attacks so it’s important to practice good respiratory and hand hygiene as these simple measures are important tools in preventing the spread of many illnesses.
“I would also encourage parents to make sure their child receives the free seasonal flu vaccine in school this autumn. This will help protect not only them your child but also those around them with an underlying health condition.
“It is therefore crucial that we know what to do if a child is affected. This not only requires appropriate medical interventions but also enhanced communication and education to ensure patients, carers and families have the necessary knowledge and skills to manage their condition.”
More information on how to prepare your child for their return to school so their asthma is well managed is available here or call the Asthma + Lung UK helpline on 0300 222 5800 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
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