shutterstock_92126392.jpegThe first chill in the air and the return to school often bring a familiar sense of unease for parents of children with asthma. As cold and flu season begins, you might worry about how respiratory illnesses will affect your child's breathing. It’s natural to feel concerned when you know that a simple cold can trigger significant asthma symptoms, leading to sleepless nights and missed school days.

Capital Area Pediatrics is an expert provider of pediatric asthma care in Ashburn, VA, and we're here to support you through every season. We understand that managing asthma can feel especially challenging when viruses are circulating. Our compassionate team can help you create a proactive plan to protect your child’s health, manage symptoms effectively, and give you peace of mind.

Let's walk through how to navigate cold and flu season and keep your child’s asthma under control.

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Why Colds and Flu Worsen Asthma Symptoms

Respiratory viruses, like the common cold and influenza (the flu), are one of the most common triggers for asthma flare-ups in children. When your child gets sick with a cold or the flu, their immune system works hard to fight off the infection. This process causes inflammation in the airways, the very same issue that underlies asthma.

For a child with asthma, this extra inflammation is a double whammy. Their already sensitive airways become even more swollen and narrow, and the muscles around them can tighten. This can lead to what is known as cold-induced asthma, where the viral infection directly triggers asthma symptoms, including:

  • Increased coughing, especially at night
  • Wheezing or a whistling sound when breathing
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Chest tightness

This reaction makes it crucial to have a solid management plan in place before your child gets sick. Being prepared can make the difference between a manageable illness and a visit to the emergency room.

Proactive Steps for Seasonal Asthma Treatment

The best way to manage asthma during cold and flu season is to take proactive steps to keep your child healthy and their asthma well-controlled. This approach focuses on prevention and preparation.

1. Get the Flu Shot

The single most important step you can take is to have your child get their annual flu vaccine. The flu shot helps protect your child from influenza, a virus known to cause severe asthma flare-ups. Because the flu virus changes each year, it’s important to get vaccinated every fall. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the flu shot for everyone 6 months and older, especially children with chronic conditions like asthma.

At Capital Area Pediatrics, we can immunize your entire family. Please self-schedule at any of our locations.

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2. Reinforce Good Hygiene Habits

Simple hygiene practices go a long way in preventing the spread of germs. Teach your child to:

  • Wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available.
  • Avoid touching their face, especially their eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with their elbow or a tissue.

3. Keep Asthma Well-Controlled

When your child's asthma is well-managed on a daily basis, their airways are less inflamed and better able to handle a viral infection. This is why it's so important for your child to take their long-term controller medications exactly as prescribed by their pediatrician, even when they are feeling well. These medications are the foundation of good asthma control.

Updating Your Child’s Asthma Action Plan for the Season

Your child’s Asthma Action Plan is your roadmap for managing their breathing. Before cold and flu season kicks into high gear, schedule a visit with your pediatrician to review and update this plan. This is a key component of the management of asthma guidelines.

Your updated plan should include:

  • Clear Green Zone instructions: What daily medications should your child take to keep their asthma under control?
  • Specific Yellow Zone steps: What should you do at the very first sign of a cold, such as a runny nose or a cough? Often, this involves starting or increasing quick-relief medications to prevent symptoms from worsening.
  • Emergency Red Zone protocol: What are the signs of a severe flare-up, and when should you seek immediate medical care?
  • Contact information: Have your pediatrician’s office number and after-hours line readily available.

Make sure copies of the updated plan are shared with your child’s school nurse, teachers, and any other caregivers. Everyone on your child's team should know what to do if symptoms appear.

Managing Cold Weather Asthma Triggers

Beyond viruses, the cold weather itself can be a trigger for some children with asthma. Cold, dry air can irritate the airways, causing them to narrow and leading to symptoms.

Here are some tips for managing cold-weather asthma:

  • Cover up: Have your child wear a scarf or cold-air mask over their nose and mouth when outside. This helps warm and humidify the air before it reaches their lungs.
  • Warm-up indoors: Encourage a few minutes of gentle warm-up exercises inside before heading out for more vigorous play.
  • Pre-treat if necessary: If exercise in the cold is a known trigger, follow your Asthma Action Plan’s instructions for using a quick-relief inhaler before your child plays outside.
  • Monitor indoor air: Winter often means spending more time indoors, where allergens like dust mites and pet dander can be more concentrated. Use a humidifier to prevent the air from becoming too dry, and maintain good ventilation.

By being mindful of these triggers, you can help your child stay active and comfortable even as the temperatures drop.

What to Do When Your Child with Asthma Gets Sick

Despite your best efforts, your child will likely catch a cold at some point. When this happens, being prepared and acting quickly is key.

  1. Start the Yellow Zone plan immediately. Don't wait for wheezing or shortness of breath to begin. At the first sign of a cold (sneezing, runny nose), refer to your Asthma Action Plan and begin the recommended steps. This proactive approach can often prevent a mild illness from turning into a severe asthma flare-up.
  2. Encourage rest and hydration. Just like with any illness, rest helps the body recover. Offer plenty of fluids like water, soup, or diluted juice to keep your child hydrated.
  3. Monitor their breathing closely. Pay attention to how hard your child is working to breathe. Look for signs like rapid breathing, flaring nostrils, or the skin sucking in between their ribs (retractions). These are signs of respiratory distress that require medical attention.
  4. Stay in communication with your pediatrician. Don't hesitate to contact your local CAP office for guidance. Let our team know your child is sick and you’ve started your action plan. They can provide advice on what to watch for and when you might need to bring your child in for an evaluation.

Navigate Cold and Flu Season with Confidence

Managing pediatric asthma during cold and flu season requires a proactive and organized approach. With the right preparation, you can help protect your child from illness and respond effectively when they do get sick.

Capital Area Pediatrics is dedicated to providing families in Ashburn, VA, with the expert guidance and support needed to manage childhood asthma confidently. Our team is here to partner with you to develop a robust seasonal asthma treatment plan that keeps your child healthy and active all year long. Schedule an appointment with our pediatric asthma team today.