Back-to-School asthma prep: How to protect children from germs, seasonal allergies
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The return to school is a time of excitement, but for the thousands of children across Virginia with asthma and allergies, it can also be a dangerous time for their health.
According to Dr. William Hark, an allergist-immunologist at Richmond Allergy and Asthma Specialist, the combination of changing seasons and the return to the classroom creates a perfect storm for children with respiratory issues.
"Asthma is often triggered by allergies, and that's where you get inflammation in the lungs that can eventually cause wheezing, coughing [and] difficulty breathing," Dr. Hark said.
The allergy season has been especially severe this summer -- a trend Dr. Hark expects will only worsen as students return to school.
"We have to wait just probably another couple of weeks to let all the kids get back into school and start spreading respiratory viruses, and then we will see a big uptick," he said.
Schools themselves can harbor hidden triggers. Common allergens, including ragweed, dust and even mold can be found inside school buildings.
According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), there were more than 21,000 emergency room (ER) visits for children under 18 diagnosed with asthma in 2024. From January to July of this year alone, that number already stands at more than 9,000.
Dr. Hark stressed that with proper management, most of these emergencies can be prevented.
"If someone ends up in the emergency room because of asthma, it's probably because something's not been done," he said.
To ensure your child has a healthy school year, Dr. Hark offered several key tips for parents:
- Make sure your child's medications are up-to-date and have not expired.
- Inform the teachers and school nurse about your child's condition and medication protocol.
- Encourage extra precautions, such as frequent hand washing, to limit the spread of viruses.
According to the Virginia Youth Survey, in 2021, 19% of high school students in the state reported being told by a doctor or nurse that they have asthma.
