Back to School: Preventing asthma attacks

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A reminder for parents who have children with asthma.

The peak of asthma problems is seen in the first few weeks after kids go back to school.

It is the number one reason why they miss school.

And about 85-percent are triggered by viruses that tend to go around in the late summer and early fall.

"A bunch of kids go back to school, they're incubating viruses, they start touching each other, they get sick, they get a cold, the cold triggers asthma in the ones who are predisposed," says Dr. Gkiovanni Piedmonte, a Cleveland Clinic pediatric specialist.

So if they take medication, make sure they have it at home and if needed, at school.

If they use an inhaler, be sure to have one accessible at all times.

And make sure everyone at school knows what to do in case of an emergency.