When the school bell rings and kids head back to the classroom, it’s not just pencils and backpacks they’re bringing with them, there’s also a higher chance of germs, allergens, and asthma triggers. For children living with asthma, the return to school can bring unique challenges that parents need to be ready for.
At Advanced Respiratory Care Network, we work with families across Alberta to help children breathe better, manage asthma symptoms, and stay healthy year-round. With the right preparation, you can help your child enjoy school, participate fully in activities, and avoid unnecessary absences due to respiratory issues.
Here’s what you need to know to set your child up for a healthy start this school year.
Why Back to School Can Trigger Asthma & Infections
The shift from summer to fall can be tough on children’s lungs, even if they’ve been symptom-free for months. Common reasons include:
- More exposure to germs – Cold and flu season often starts in the fall, and kids are indoors with classmates for hours at a time.
- Classroom allergens – Dust, chalk dust, mould, or even class pets can trigger asthma.
- Routine changes – New schedules can lead to missed medication doses or disrupted sleep.
- Weather shifts – Cooler mornings, damp air, and sudden temperature changes can make breathing harder for kids with asthma.
Understanding these risks helps you plan ahead, and prevention is always easier than reacting to a flare-up.
Understanding Your Child’s Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways, making them inflamed and more sensitive to triggers. For children, this can mean coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness, especially in environments where triggers are present.
Common school-related asthma triggers include:
- Physical activity without pre-treatment or warm-ups
- Strong scents from cleaning supplies or perfumes
- Seasonal allergens like pollen and mould
- Respiratory infections caught from classmates
Knowing your child’s specific triggers will help you, your child, and their teachers take the right steps to avoid them.
Preparing for the School Year: Your Child’s Asthma Action Plan
A well-prepared asthma plan can make all the difference in managing symptoms at school. Here’s what to review before the first day:
- Update medications and inhalers
- Check expiry dates and replace if needed.
- Make sure your child has a quick-relief inhaler with them at school.
- Review and update the Asthma Action Plan
- This written plan outlines what to do for mild, moderate, and severe symptoms.
- Share it with your child’s teacher, school nurse, and any coaches.
- Provide emergency contact information
- Include your child’s healthcare provider and your own contact details.
- Teach self-management skills (if age-appropriate)
- Show your child how to use their inhaler properly.
- Make sure they understand their triggers and when to ask for help.
Many schools require forms or documentation for medications to be kept on-site. Ask about this before school starts so there are no delays in care.
Infection Prevention Strategies
Respiratory infections — like colds, flu, RSV, and COVID-19 — can quickly worsen asthma symptoms. Taking a few precautions can help your child avoid getting sick.
Teach and reinforce:
- Proper handwashing – Use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoiding face-touching – This can reduce the transfer of germs.
- Using masks during high viral seasons – Especially if recommended by public health.
- Not sharing water bottles, utensils, or food – This is one of the easiest ways germs spread.
Stay up to date on vaccinations:
- Annual flu shot
- COVID-19 boosters (if eligible)
- Any other vaccinations recommended by your child’s doctor
If your child is sick, it’s best to keep them home until they’re feeling better—both for their recovery and to prevent spreading illness to others.
Supporting Your Child’s Lung Health at Home
School isn’t the only place where asthma can flare up. A healthy home environment helps keep symptoms in check:
- Use a HEPA air purifier to filter dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens.
- Reduce indoor allergens by washing bedding weekly, vacuuming with a HEPA filter, and dusting regularly.
- Control humidity to keep it between 30–50% to prevent mould growth.
- Encourage safe physical activity – Regular movement strengthens lung capacity, but make sure your child warms up and uses medication before exercise if needed.
- Keep up with check-ups – Regular check-ups with your doctor allow for adjustments in treatment and early detection of changes in lung health.
When to Seek Medical Help
Even with good management, asthma symptoms can sometimes escalate quickly.
Seek immediate medical attention if your child:
- Has difficulty speaking due to shortness of breath
- Is using their rescue inhaler more often than usual without relief
- Experiences chest retractions (skin pulling in around ribs or neck when breathing)
- Has bluish lips or fingernails
How ARC Network Supports Families
At Advanced Respiratory Care Network, we understand how challenging it can be to manage asthma during the school year. Our services include:
- Respiratory testing and diagnosis
- Personalized treatment and action plans
- Allergy testing and management
- Sleep and respiratory health assessments for children and adults
Learn More About Respiratory Diagnostics
A Healthy Start to the School Year
With a little planning and support, your child can have a healthy, active, and happy school year, without letting asthma or infections slow them down. The key is preparation: know the triggers, have a plan, and keep open communication with your child’s school and healthcare team.
We offer respiratory consultations with a specialist physician, as well as pulmonary function testing, for anyone over the age of 6, accessible at most locations. A complete pulmonary function test takes about 30 minutes and is useful for making many diagnoses.
Learn More About Respiratory Consultations & Diagnostics