All Policies Include Coronavirus Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
01 August 2013 10:38
Asthma attacks in children spike in September when schools re-open, a charity has warned
Asthma attacks among children are more common when they go back to school after the summer holidays, a charity has warned.
Asthma UK says the increased risk occurs because children's treatment regimes are often relaxed during the six-week break.
It says there is a "September spike" in asthma attacks among children every year, due to exposure to common triggers such as cold and flu viruses.
As many as 75% of admissions could be avoided if children were taking their medication properly, the charity believes.
So when parents are busy planning for their family summer holidays and making sure they have asthma travel insurance in place for their well-earned break, they are also being encouraged to do everything they can to make sure their children stick to their treatment regimes to enjoy the maximum health benefits come September.
Prevention is recognised as a key part of managing asthma, with children continuing to use their inhaler twice a day considerably less likely to experience an attack.
The change of routine is seen as the problem during the summer holidays, as children may be with different carers who are not aware of their inhaler regime or families spend time away from home where the daily activities vary from normal.
With asthma travel insurance in place, parents have peace of mind in the event their children suffer an attack or more severe symptoms while they're abroad on holiday.
Asthma UK's deputy chief executive Dr Samantha Walker said the less regular inhaler use during the school holidays can be a "time-bomb".
The charity is running a Back to School campaign in an effort to remind parents of the importance of maintaining the inhaler regime.
Dr Walker said: "Those who forget to take their preventer inhalers over the summer will be less in control of their symptoms and therefore more vulnerable to asthma attacks come term time."
There are approximately 1.1 million children with asthma in the UK, which equates to around two children in every classroom with the condition.
Asthma UK says more than 25,000 children were hospitalised because of their asthma in 2011-12, with 18 children aged under 14 dying as a result of an asthma attack in 2011.
17 March 2020
Escape it all with a visit to one of the world's hidden island gems.
[more...]
02 July 2021
It's time for some Mediterranean sun and unforgettable sights. Here are five of our favourite must-sees in Malta.
Take your pick of the best beaches in Portugal, spanning more than 500 miles of the Portuguese coastline.
Holidays are back but not quite as we know them. Here's a quick guide to what to expect when travelling to and from green list countries.
28 February 2020
From tulip-filled trips to rose-tinged rests, these destinations are the perfect way to see in the new season.
04 January 2021
Join us on a journey to Ancient Greece to discover more about history's most revered statue.
Head north for a light show like no other. Discover how you can see the Northern Lights for yourself.
Discover more about the magnificent waterfall perched on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
10 December 2020
Don't sleep on the world's most impressive dormant volcano.
A destination that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
19 November 2020
Take a tour of one of South America's most captivating natural landscapes.
Discover the hidden depths of the world's most recognisable desert gorge.