Parents and teachers are being warned to prepare for a "spike" in asthma attacks leading to increased hospitalisations as students return back to school.
Asthma affects one in eight children and one in eight adults in New Zealand, with children making up one third of all respiratory-related hospital admissions.
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation's chief executive Letitia Harding said it's important for parents and caregivers to have an "asthma action plan" which is shared with their school and teacher.
"The 'back-to-school effect' is greater than the 'winter effect' when it comes to children's respiratory disease, with hospitalisations from asthma attacks at their highest during weeks 3 and 4 of Term 1," she said.
"For most children going back to school is an exciting time," Harding said. "But unfortunately, for many, this period can lead to severe reactions putting children at risk."
Harding said international studies show that a variety of factors are associated with the increase in hospitalisations including a change of environment and exposure to different allergens, changes in emotions such as stress or anxiety, and exposure to more viruses from being around more people.
More than 350,000 school days are estimated to be lost each year due to asthma-related symptoms in children and around 98 people die from asthma each year.
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ is encouraging everyone, including children, to be aware of the symptoms of an attack which include a worsening cough, persistent wheeze, being short of breath and/or feeling tight in the chest.
"That’s why investing in educating children about asthma is a huge focus for us," she said.
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