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What is the September Asthma Spike?
The back-to-school season can be an exciting time for both kids and parents, but did you know that this time of year has been linked to a considerable increase in hospitalizations for children with asthma? This phenomenon is referred to as the September Asthma Spike, where hospitalizations begin to increase at the start of the school year until they peak during the third week of September.1
What Causes the September Asthma Spike?
Researchers have found that there are three main reasons why asthma-related hospitalizations increase in September. The first reason are cold viruses, which spread rapidly at the beginning of the school year. This is because children are in close proximity to each other in classrooms, buses, and playgrounds. These viruses have the potential to trigger asthma symptoms severe enough to require immediate medical attention, particularly in school-aged children.2
Another reason for increased hospitalizations is increased presence of allergens, such as ragweed, at the end of the summer.2 Ragweed pollen is carried by hot and humid air, making it very easy to inhale during the beginning of the school year when school-aged children play outside. When inhaled, ragweed pollen irritates the airways, triggering asthma symptoms and possibly even an asthma attack.3
Finally, more children with asthma were hospitalized in September because they didn't follow their Asthma Action Plans. During the summer, some parents and children may follow their devised asthma management plan more loosely than during the school year, which can result in asthma that is more poorly controlled once the school year begins.2
Preparing for the September Asthma Spike
There are several measures you can take to keep you and your children safe this September, by keeping asthma under control.
Understand asthma policies at your child’s school: Speak with your child’s school about their asthma policies to better understand how they are working to keep children with asthma safe during the school year. This includes understanding what policies are in place to create a trigger-free learning environment and to encourage children to carry their reliever inhalers with them. Make sure to advocate how important it is that your child always carries their rescue inhaler with them.1
Schedule a back-to-school checkup: Consider scheduling a back-to-school appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your child’s asthma and their recommendations to best prepare for the September Spike. This visit should include a review on inhaler technique, in addition to the creation of a written Asthma action plan that can be shared with your child’s school.1
Consistently follow your Asthma Action Plan: One of the main reasons for the September Spike is improper adherence to their Asthma Action Plan. During the summer, it is imperative to continue following your child’s Asthma Action Plan by ensuring they take all their asthma medications, as prescribed. This plan should be followed throughout the entire year, as recommended by your child’s healthcare provider, to ensure their asthma is well controlled during the school year.1
Ensure their vaccinations are up to date: To deter the spread and severity of viruses, ensure your child is up to date on all vaccinations, including the influenza (flu) vaccine. This can help prevent asthma symptoms from being triggered by illness.2
Teach children proper hygiene and hand washing techniques: It is crucial to teach your child proper hand washing techniques and its importance in helping to reduce viral infections, like colds and the flu.2
Keep sick children home from school: If your child feels unwell, make arrangements for them to stay home from school until they feel better. This will help to limit the transmission of illnesses to others while also providing your child with the time they need to require, ultimately working to aid in the prevention of asthma exacerbations.
Have them carry an AeroChamber2go*: If your child is prescribed an inhaler, you should consider pairing it with a spacer, as it increases the amount of medication that is delivered to their lungs.4 The AeroChamber2go* spacer can help to increase the effectiveness of your child’s medication, while acting as a protective storage case for their rescue inhaler, allowing them to keep it close-by while they’re on-the-go this school year!
The Effect of the September Asthma Spike on Adults and How to Keep Yourself Safe
While most asthma discussions focus on children at the start of the school year, parents and other adults can also experience increased asthma exacerbations during the September Asthma Spike. In fact, adults with asthma aged 35-65 are at the greatest risk of experiencing severe symptoms or dying from an asthma flare-up than all other age groups, including children.5
Adults with asthma may experience more severe asthma symptoms during September for the same reasons children do: cold viruses and allergens. Parents with asthma are particularly at risk due to their exposure to viruses and germs children bring home during the first few weeks of the school year.5
If you are a parent or adult with asthma, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself this fall:
If you’ve been prescribed an inhaler by a healthcare provider to manage your asthma symptoms, it may be beneficial to consider pairing it with a spacer. Spacers make it easier for you to inhale the medicine dispensed by your inhaler, allowing it to deposit more deeply into the lungs, where it’s needed.4 The AeroChamber2go* spacer makes it easier for you to store your inhaler and take your medication with you on-the-go, so you can make the most of this school year!