Asthma

Let's get ready for the school year!

If you have a school-aged child with asthma, now is the time to schedule an asthma check-up and gather paperwork for the school health office. When the first day of school arrives, your child can start the school year with an updated Asthma Action Plan and new quick-relief inhaler ready to go. 

Here are a few reminders to help your student get ready for school: 

If you haven't already, schedule an asthma check-up with your health care provider. Call your clinic now, appointments fill up fast! 

Ask your provider for a written Asthma Action Plan to give to the school health office. This plan should include what medicines to use, phone numbers to reach your health care provider or clinic, and a list of asthma triggers. 

Remember to bring all required documents and forms that need to be completed and signed by your health care provider to the asthma check-up. All forms must be turned in during back-to-school night or on the first day of school. 

Make sure your child's immunizations are up to date and that they have a sports physical on file in the school health office or athletic director's office. 

Call your pharmacy to re-fill needed prescriptions for the school year. Request the pharmacy to place the medication label on the "boot" of the inhaler rather than on the medication box that it comes in. 

Review proper inhaler technique at home. This is important, as it allows all the medicine from the inhaler to get into the lungs. Visit National Jewish Health Instructional Videos to view demonstrations of how to use inhalers (quick-relief & controller). 

Be sure to attend back-to-school events for the grade (Elementary, Middle, and High School Students) your child is entering. If you have asthma questions, talk with the school nurse, or call the school health office to get your questions answered prior to the first day of school. 

Learn more by visiting these MDH web resources Managing Asthma in Minnesota Schools and School Health Services.