Mum's warning about dangerous condition that triples when children return to school

A mum has issued a warning as children return back to school. As children return to school and the months get colder, seasonal illnesses start to return, and this can have a big impact on some children.

While coughs and colds can be minor for some, other children are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill. This along with a new routine has left mum Branwen Niclas urging parents to take great care this autumn, and to watch out for signs that your child needs extra help.

Branwen's eight-year-old son Huw has asthma. He was first hospitalised with symptoms of the conditon in 2022 as he struggled to breathe due to a chest infection.

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Branwen, from Anglesey, said: "His worst asthma attack in school happened in December 2022. He became breathless, wheezy, and exhausted. The staff immediately noticed and notified the headmaster. They rang me straight away, I arranged for him to be collected and he went to the GP later that day where he was prescribed antibiotics. Huw didn’t return to school until the following week as when his asthma worsens all his energy goes into taking breaths." For the latest health and Covid news, sign up to our newsletter here

Branwen warned against the seriousness of the condition, recalling an asthma attack he experienced when he was just six, which took him over a week to recover from: "He was fine in the morning; we had a lovely walk on Llansteffan beach, but he deteriorated throughout the day. On our return, Huw was next to me while I was driving and I was desperate to get him home to bed, but he was just getting shorter and shorter of breath. I could see his tummy and chest muscles were working so hard. During the drive I made overnight care arrangements for Huw’s siblings and drove straight to Ysbyty Gwynedd as I knew he needed emergency care. Huw collapsed on the way out of the car, and I carried him in, and he was immediately put on a nebuliser. It took him a week to fully recover."

The mum is warning other parents to be aware of the symptoms of asthma, and ensure that your children are taking their inhalers as prescribed when they return to school. According to Asthma + Lunk UK Cymru charity, hospital admissions for children age between five and 19 in Wales almost triple in September when children return to school, when compared with August.

The charity said: "With an estimated 59,000 children with asthma in Wales, Asthma + Lung UK Cymru says the increased risk is due to the ‘perfect storm’ of factors that occurs when children go back to school. Some children get out routine during the summer holidays and do not take their preventer medicines every day as prescribed.

"This can lead to their asthma being poorly controlled when they go back to school. Exposure to asthma triggers including colds and flu viruses, dust mites, pollen and strong emotions (such as fear and excitement) can all of trigger potentially life-threatening asthma attacks or worsen symptoms such as breathlessness, coughing and wheezing."

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru said: “It is deeply worrying that children’s asthma admissions almost triple in Wales when children return to school. Children’s asthma admissions are the highest in four years and are returning to pre-pandemic levels. We must break this trend.

“The best thing parents can do is to ensure their children take their preventer inhaler (usually brown) every day as prescribed and maintain their care and treatment plans during the holidays. Some children may fall out of their usual preventer inhaler routines over the summer break which can leave them much more vulnerable to an asthma attack. But preventer medication is vital as it helps calm the inflammation in their airways and reduces the risk of an asthma attack.

“They should also ensure their child always has their reliever inhaler with them when they return to school and have an up-to-date asthma action plan they share with the school. This ensures that school staff will also know what to do if the child’s asthma symptoms worsen or in the event of an asthma attack."