A spike in asthma-related hospitalisations is expected as children flock through school gates for the start of a new year.

Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ is encouraging everyone to be aware of the symptoms of an asthma attack and how to respond, with hospital admissions from attacks at their highest during week three of term one.

Symptoms of an asthma attack are a worsening cough, persistent wheezing, shortness of breath and/or feeling tight in the chest.

Foundation chief executive Letitia Harding said the back-to-school period was always a vulnerable time for one in eight Kiwi children with asthma.

“The back-to-school effect is greater than the winter effect when it comes to children’s respiratory disease, with the risk of hospitalisation two and a half times higher on the peak day in the third week of term one than on the first day of term.”

International studies had shown various factors were associated with the increase, including a change of environment and exposure to various allergens, changes in emotions such as stress or anxiety, and exposure to more viruses from being around more people, Harding said.

To keep children safe through the return-to-school period, parents and caregivers should ensure their child had an asthma action plan, which is shared with their school and their teacher, she said.

“Make sure your child is taking their preventer medication as prescribed and bringing their reliever inhaler to school, and check that it’s not empty or out of date.”

Asthma is a common illness in New Zealand that affects one in eight children and one in eight adults. About 96 people die from asthma each year – that’s nearly two people a week.

Also, one-third of all respiratory-related hospital admissions are children and it is estimated more than 360,000 school days are lost each year due to asthma-related symptoms in children.

For most children, going back to school was an exciting time, Harding said.

“But, unfortunately, for many this period can lead to severe reactions – putting children at risk.

“That’s why investing in educating children about asthma is a huge focus for us,” she said.