By Michelle Oleson

‘Tis the season! Winter weather can mean so many things. The holidays and the possibility of snow make for exciting times for kids, but colds, flu and added breathing difficulty for young ones with asthma can make winter a not-so-fun time for parents. The fact of the matter is that kids with asthma need a little extra TLC during the winter, so taking the proper steps to manage it can ensure a smooth and emergency-room-free season

According to the American Lung Association, asthma is a respiratory disease that causes the airways (branches to the lungs) to become swollen and red, making it more difficult for air to reach the lungs. It makes breathing difficult for nearly 23 million Americans, 7 million of them children. While there is no cure and the exact cause of the illness is not known, a proper plan can make it possible for children and adults with asthma to live long, healthy lives.

“One of the first things to learn is what your child’s asthma triggers are,” said Tom DeMarini, MD, pulmonologist and chief of staff at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. “Asthmatic lungs are already more reactive, and certain triggers—like colds, flu, dust and weather can exacerbate symptoms,” he said.

Once kids return to school, they are exposed to more viruses. This tends to cause an upswing in the number of children who end up in the emergency room with acute asthma symptoms. And while most parents of kids with asthma know that the flu can be particularly dangerous for their children, the American Lung Association said a new Canadian study found kids hospitalized with H1N1 were more likely to have asthma compared to kids hospitalized with the seasonal flu. What does that mean?

“A seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine are imperative for kids with asthma,” said Joan Ifarinde, MD, EJCH pediatrician. “Of course, we also stress washing hands to prevent flu and monitoring children for signs of the illness, such as high fever, muscle aches, cough and sore throat. If a child with asthma gets the flu, there’s no substitute for immediate medical care.”

In general, DeMarini said it’s important for parents to take control of their children’s asthma. Working with a physician to formulate a plan is essential to effectively managing the disease. This includes monitoring asthma symptoms such as cough, tightness in the chest, wheezing and feeling tired during activity. Administering medicines and regular visits to the doctor (not just when there is a problem) also ensures symptoms are consistently controlled.

For school-age kids, keeping symptoms in check while at school is another force to be reckoned with. The American Lung Association says students with asthma miss 13 million days of school each year. Therefore, keeping asthmatic children healthy is a team effort. Parents should stay in communication with the school and familiarize themselves with the rules pertaining to medication. Kids need access to quick inhalers and maintenance medicines, either administered by the school or, if they’re ready, to carry and take themselves. Teach older kids symptoms and warning signs of asthma if they don’t already know them, so they are able to play an active role in their healthcare. Lastly, have a plan for dealing with asthma attacks.

Most kids with asthma develop it before age five, but it can be hard to diagnose. In very young children, watch for a cough at night or one that doesn’t go away, a whistling sound when breathing out or maybe even a late night trip to the hospital because breathing doesn’t seem quite right. The faster asthma is diagnosed, the better to prevent permanent scarring to the lungs.

“The bottom line is that asthma can be treated with medicine and, sometimes, environmental or lifestyle changes. But, parents need to stay on top of it,” said Ifarinde. “A little bit of vigilance can make all the difference when it comes to keeping little lungs healthy over the winter.”