Ask the expert: Is it safe for my asthmatic
Q
MY SON isn’t shielding but has asthma. Am I putting him at risk by sending him back to school?
ARESPIRATORY expert and GP Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma UK (asthma.org.uk)
clinical lead, says: “Going back to school after a long break is usually an exciting time for children.
“Understandably, parents of children with asthma are more concerned this time round, and may be worried about sending their child back to school after a long time at home.
“It’s not clear whether going back to school after the lockdown will affect children’s asthma.
“We do know that when children with asthma go back to school after the summer holidays, they are often more at risk of having asthma attacks.
“This could be for a number of reasons, including more exposure to triggers such as colds and seasonal allergies, or their preventer medicine routine being disrupted over the summer holidays.
“Asthma doesn’t make you more likely to get coronavirus, but unfortunately if people with long-term lung conditions like asthma get coronavirus, it can be more severe. Reassuringly, the number of children with asthma becoming seriously unwell with Covid-19 is low.
“If you have concerns about your child’s return to school, contact your GP, who will be able to assess whether their asthma is well-controlled.
“Regardless of whether your child is returning to school in June or after the summer holidays, there are things you can do now to prepare them for getting back to the classroom.
“Getting into a good routine