The leading cause of missed school days for children ages 5-17? Asthma.
If you have a child with asthma, we recommend adding a few tasks to your back-to-school checklist to prevent asthma-related absences. It’s not always easy to manage a chronic condition but in the case of asthma, a little preparation goes a long way and will help ensure your child feels good, can get out and play and not miss school.
Back-to-school checklist for asthma control:
- Make an appointment with your nurse practitioner or doctor for an asthma check-up to be sure your child’s asthma is under control.
- Get an updated asthma action plan (signed by you and your doctor/nurse practitioner) to give to your school’s health aide or nurse. This allows the nurse to give your child the medicine they need while at school.
- Get a second rescue inhaler (albuterol) to use at school.
- Ask your nurse practitioner or doctor about getting an extra spacer for school. A spacer helps the medicine get into the lungs rather than into the mouth or throat.
- Be sure your child gets a flu shot every year.
For more information on asthma care, please contact your child’s primary care provider.
This content provided in partnership with Kohl’s Cares.