Schools warned about asthma spikes as children return after holidays

Schools are being warned about the potential for a spike in asthma cases when children return after the holiday break.
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ has issued the warning, saying studies showed viral infections were likely to be the main cause in the possible jump in asthma hospitalisations.
"Asthma attacks are particularly common for children when going back to school, especially following the long summer holiday," the foundation's education and research general manager Teresa Demetriou said.
Other causes included less strict asthma management over the holidays, changes in environment that created greater exposure to allergens, and a change in emotions such as stress and anxiety.....

Read more here: stuff.co.nz

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If you're dealing with asthma, you know how scary it can be to suddenly find yourself short of breath. (Breathing: So many people take it for granted.) To deal, you tote your inhaler with you everywhere you go, just in case. But you might want to make an appointment with your doctor to make sure you've really got asthma. According to a new study published in JAMA, "Reevaluation of Diagnosis in Adults With Physician-Diagnosed Asthma," doctors misdiagnose asthma a third of the time.....

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The following guest post on patient safety in healthcare was submitted by Dixie Somers.
Asthma can be triggered at any time and in any type of environment. In a healthcare setting where nurses and physicians are trying to treat patients who may have severe asthma problems, the presence of allergens and environmental contaminants can be particularly troublesome. Keeping these patients safe requires additional measures to allow them to receive appropriate treatment without causing an attack.....

Read more here: rightpatient.com