School is back in session for the majority of Northeast Georgia, putting many students and parents on edge with concerns of contracting COVID-19.
For students who suffer from asthma or other allergies, there is additional concern for their already compromised immune systems. As a result, Doctor Faria Khan with the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group has recommended that all students who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine and have asthma go ahead and get the shot.
"You know, the COVID vaccine, as we've heard over and over again, just provides so much protection, especially for kids with asthma and respiratory problems that can really spiral downwards if they have a serious respiratory viral infection such as COVID," said Khan on WDUN's Newsroom. "So I absolutely, absolutely recommend it 100 percent for kids who are 12-years-old and older."
For students that are not eligible for the vaccine, but struggle with asthma or allergies, Khan recommended wearing a mask. Most local school systems, such as Hall County and Gainesville City, are not requiring masks, but letting the choice be up to the students and parents.
"I would, simply because it could stop your normal respiratory tract infections that could trigger an asthma flare-up," she said. "If there's a choice, I would probably go for that, especially if the child has asthma."
Khan said there were fewer cases of the flu last year when masks were required in schools and many public areas; she still recommends students get their flu shot.
"I think the masks really helped decrease the rate of flu last season, but with less of a mandate this season, I would think that it would be best to get your flu shot as well," said Khan.
Aside from the concerns of COVID-19, there are still many annual factors that students with asthma and allergies need to be on the lookout for when heading back to school. According to Khan, one of the biggest triggers for students with asthma is exercise.
"Their parents need to be aware that starting school again, having PE classes and running or having some physical exertion could trigger their asthma," said Khan.
She recommended that parents and students have a "treatment plan" in case their asthma flares up while they are at school.
Khan added that students and parents need to be on the lookout for regular respiratory infections that float around toward the start of class, as well.
Many students going back to school suffer from food-related allergies, as well. Similar to a treatment plan for students with asthma, Khan said students who have these allergies and their parents should inform the school of these allergies and be aware of what might be in their food.
"As the child gets older, a lot of that is just kind of repeating to the child so that he or she learns that, 'I'm allergic to peanuts, for example," said Khan. "Gradually, children themselves learn and the parents, hopefully reminding them and the school is aware...so it's kind of like a team effort."
Khan said parents might need to sit down with their children and remind them to look out for allergens before they head off to college, as well.
"We see a lot of these kids before they go off to college and we remind them, 'look, you are on your own, you are old enough to really be aware of your environment and managing your asthma by yourself because mom and dad are not there to remind you,'" said Khan.
