The beginning of the school year in September 2025 is no exception. This year again, an emergency assistance peak for asthma attacks in children under 15 years of age is observed.
According to public health data, France, which published its weekly point on September 10 on the monitoring of asthma attacks among young children, the passages of the emergency room for this cause increased 108% during the week from September 1 to 7. SOS doctors were also requested more strongly during the same period (61%).
This increase noted by the National Public Health Agency corresponds to a visible peak every year at the same time to the point that professionals now use the expression of “asthma of recoil to school”.
The return of the viruses with autumn
“It is a statistical and epidemic reality,” recognizes Clairelyne Dupin, a pulmonologist of the Saint Joseph Hospital in Paris, as well as in Chu Bicat. “With the change of season, we have a little more virus in circulation, children who have a greater promiscuity since they spend the day in class in closed environments. It is a cultural broth that promotes viral transmission,” he adds.
Asthma, which is an inflammatory disease of bronchi, can be triggered by viral infections. This is also the case of allergens such as polenses, mites, mold or even air pollution or tobacco smoke.
“In asthmatic children, changes in lifestyle during vacations are accompanied by the basic treatment of less rigorous disease, so that at the beginning of the school year, they are less protected,” explains the pulmonologist.
Prevention and practical gestures
The appearance of asthma can be done throughout life. It can manifest through crisis that can intervene from three years.
“The treatment of asthma in children is part of a global approach that associates the therapeutic education of the child and those around it. The basic treatment of asthma makes it possible to avoid the appearance of (crisis, note of the editor), in particular those that require hospitalization,” explains public health France.
Dr. Dupin advocates families of asthmatic children to communicate with teachers who receive treatment, the existence of help treatment, such as the ventoline that can be administered in school. The pulmonologist also considers that simple gestures can limit the appearance of crisis.
“At home, you can adapt the design to make sure there are fewer carpets, carpets, few stuffed animals because they are mites, aspiring instead of the broom that raises a lot of dust,” he describes.
Source: BFM TV
