Do you have a year R, year 1 or year 6 child with asthma?

[Bluewavescrashing]

Will you be sending them to school on 1st June?

My DS has been admitted to hospital 5 times via A&E/ ambulance with blue lips, gasping for breath. He was treated with oxygen, steroids abd nebulisers each time, gradually weaned back to inhalers, stayed up to 5 nights on children's ward (I stayed with him) and was discharged.

He's been well recently and hasn't needed any steroids or nebulisers the last 12 months. However I'm anxious about the risk of covid on his breathing. He has very narrow airways (was a very snuffly, honky baby!)

He is vulnerable but not shielding. Should he return to school or not?

[palacegirl77]

I have one in year one and year six! Both asthmatic (but very well controlled and no nebulisers/hospital). I desperately want my year 6 to go back for transition. I was very shocked my year one might be going back - if they were in any year but year 6 id definitely not send them back! For you, I wouldnt.

[confusednortherner]

My ds is now yr 7 but also asthmatic and was very bad when younger. If he was currently in yr 1 then I'd keep him home. I'm actually glad high schools aren't back as don't know I'd be sending him as I'd like to see how numbers are affected when lockdown eases.

[LuckyAmy1986]

@Bluewavescrashing my DS sounds pretty much identical to yours. He’s year 1. I am not sure what I’m going to do yet, will wait and see what happens in the next few weeks. He’s struggling at home without his friends and routine but the thought of sending him makes me nervous.

[mooshie06]

My year 6 has asthma and in fact our whole family of 5 have asthma, two of us classed as moderate / severe though we aren’t shielding. No, my year 6 won’t be going back in June. I’m wondering whether they will get a week in July but atm I’m not hopeful sadly x

[mooshie06]

By the way two out of my three kids have had nebulisers, steroids and time
On children’s wards when they were smaller, including the year 6

[TheModicum]

I have a senior school child with a similar medical history, OP. If he were still in primary I wouldn't even consider sending him back until the picture was a lot more positive, either in terms of the infection/death numbers, the existence of treatments or vaccines, a shitload more known about this Kawasaki-like syndrome, or even just a general sense that the government knew wtf it was doing.

[Spinakker]

I have year 2 with asthma. It's been controlled for about 5 years with preventor inhaler on a low dose, so no real problems. Hes very sporty and fit. I think I will send him this summer. If we do get Covid (and I think we've already had it) id rather us get it in the summer than the winter. I guess it depends how long you are prepared to home school for and if you're in the position to do that. I think if my son's asthma was more severe I'd be wary as well. We've only had one hospital stay.

[GruntBaby]

I've got Yr 1 who has a similar history - he has mild/moderate asthma, just a blue inhaler, but has also an airway defect. He's been a lot better the last year and a bit, with no admissions, but some chest infections, but previously was in and out of hospital for respiratory distress on a monthly basis. GP says borderline shielding. We'll take advice on school return but I very much doubt he will be going. He'll be devastated.

Have a Yr 5 too, with moderate asthma worse in spring as pollen-triggered. Not sure about sending her either, though it seems they wouldn't go back until later. And if we do send her, won't she bring infection home to DS?

[GruntBaby]

Meant to say that the government advice to schools on returning has now been published. It is not entirely clear but it implied that:

• shielded children should not be returning, and
  
• "clinically vulnerable" (that's children with breathing issues like asthma, diabetes, heart issues etc, but not bad enough to be shielded) should be decided on a case by case basis with advice from their doctor or specialist.

[MikeFromSpaced]

My DS is in Y6 and has paediatric moderate asthma as defined by NICE. His asthma is well controlled but does flare up in winter and he has had oral steroids twice in the past year (last one end Jan). No hospital admissions since he was a baby. I saw the guidance saying he’s classed as clinically vulnerable and to seek medical advice but last time I rang the GP (before lockdown) she said ‘oh he’s probably ok but I’ll leave it up to you’ so he’s been off since week before lockdown. I want him to go back if it’s safe, even if it’s only a couple of sessions as it’s his final year but I want proper medical advice not the GP leaving it up to me!

[Insideout99]

Similar history here OP. Why haven't they released clear guidelines for children with pre existing health conditions. All I could find in the guidance was to seek medical advice. As if the GPS and consultants know more than us right now regarding this considering school returns have just been announced and the last thing they need is every parent getting in touch surely!!

[Firef1y72]

I've got a year 5 SEN child with similar issues, we haven't sent him in for for SEN place, but once his year 1 brother goes in, after talking to his consultant during a video appointment, we will be. He hasn't needed steroids or a hospital visit in over a year and the school are very aware of his asthma and his particular cough (which usually starts in Sept and doesn't go away until around April).

[mumto3little]

Yes, my son has asthma and he is in Year 6. I have asthma and have covid. I have been suffered for 8 weeks and my son is scared to go back to school. He might also contracted the virus because he developed cough and mild breathlessness but still so much scared.

I am waiting FYI hear from school to see if we have choice or not.

[mumto3little]

Sorry, there is typo. I might had covid. Not tested but it is very likely. I have already recovered.

[MikeFromSpaced]

I follow Asthma UK on Facebook which, on Monday, posted the statement below so hopefully more detailed advice will be forthcoming:

‘We’re taking a closer look at what the government’s latest coronavirus update means for people with asthma following last night’s broadcast from the Prime Minister. It’s important to know that the shielding guidelines are still in place across the UK. If you are shielding, you should continue to stay at home and avoid face-to-face contact.

For those who aren’t shielding, some of the restrictions on exercising outside look set to be relaxed, and this is happening from today or over the next few days depending on whether you live in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Social distance rules still apply, and you should keep at least two metres away from other people.

We understand more details on the government’s plans, including guidance for people who can’t work from home, are being released today. Our team will be translating what they mean for people with asthma, and we’ll share these updates on our Facebook page and website as soon as we can.’

[sunbuns]

My ds has asthma but is in year 2 so I don’t have to worry immediately. He is currently on seretide, montelukast and salbutamol. It’s mostly controlled by this, but does flare up in winter and hay fever season, so he’s using his preventer inhaler quite a bit atm. We’ve had previous hospital visits, ambulances etc but nothing for the past year. He hasn’t needed steroids for the past year either, but recently had a chest infection. Knowing how quickly he goes downhill, and how unwell he gets with anything that goes to his chest I am desperate to avoid him catching cv. If year 2 has to go back before the summer holidays I will probably keep him off.

[sadonfriday]

Year 2, with seretide, salbutamol and montelukast. I won’t be sending him...

[onlyreadingneverposting8]

Why haven't they released clear guidelines for children with pre existing health conditions.

Because know one knows what they should be! Because not even the medical professionals and scientists know enough to actually say how certain groups or individuals with pre existing conditions will be affected should they catch it. They can only go on the small amount of data from across the world. Given that in the vast majority of counties schools have been closed relatively few children have actually caught covid and even fewer of those will be children with preexisting conditions. It is true to say the children without pre existing conditions have largely had a mild or moderate illness. It is also true that virtually all the children who have died have HAD pre existing conditions.