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Medical Conditions at School Asthma Allergies and Anaphylaxis Diabetes Hemophilia Seizures and Epilepsy Medication Responsibilities MedicAlert Identification

Medical Conditions at School

Certain medical conditions can impact school children. View information on signs, symptoms and treatments.

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Medical Conditions at School

Students with severe medical conditions may require emergency intervention by school staff. These conditions are physician-diagnosed and potentially life-threatening. Parents and guardians work in partnership with schools to ensure children with medical or life-threatening conditions receive appropriate care at school.

Each school district has its own policy and forms for planning care for students with medical conditions. Contact your local school for information and forms for your district.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways. The severity and duration of each flare-up of symptoms can vary for each person. Allergic or non-allergic triggers may cause symptoms. Management of asthma is most successful when education, environmental control and medication are all considered. Asthma reactions may occur daily, weekly and/or seasonally.

It is very important for students with asthma that:

  • The parents and physician complete the Medical Alert Planning and Request for Medication forms, and return them to the school. Visit the Parent and/or Guardian Responsibilities section of this page for more information

  • Medication (puffers, oral medication) is labelled for the student

  • Medication should be accessible to the student at all times

  • School personnel as well as the student have had education about asthma and avoidance of the triggers for the student, and are trained in recognizing and treating asthma

  • The student wears MedicAlert identification at all times

     

Causes of asthma

The exact cause of asthma is unclear, but there are certain factors that seem to increase the risk of developing asthma:

  • Hereditary or genetic factors

  • Chest infections early in life

  • Exposure early in life to house dust, animals (especially cats) and cigarette smoke

 

Symptoms and triggers of asthma

Symptoms

Symptoms of asthma vary from person to person. The most common symptoms are:

  • Difficulty in breathing

  • Shortness of breath

  • Coughing

  • Wheezing

  • Chest tightness

  • Turning very pale

Triggers

There are two particular groups of asthma triggers. Some cause inflammation in the airways or make existing inflammation worse. Other triggers cause narrowing or constrictions due to the muscles around the airways tightening or spasming. Examples of triggers include:

  • Colds/viruses or other respiratory infections

  • Dust/dust mites

  • Molds

  • Emotions/stress/excitement

  • Smoke

  • Animals

  • Exercise

  • Pollens

Allergies and Anaphylaxis

An allergy is an overreaction of the body to an ordinarily harmless substance. The substance (allergen) triggers the immune system to release chemicals to defend against the allergen. These chemicals can affect various body systems causing uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous symptoms.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can lead to rapid death if left untreated. It occurs when the body’s immune system reacts to harmless substances, like peanuts or bee stings, as though they were harmful invaders.

Anaphylaxis Protection Order

In September 2007, the BC Ministry of Education released the Anaphylaxis Protection Order which states that every board must establish and maintain policy and procedures relating to anaphylaxis. For more information on the Anaphylaxis Protection Order and Anaphylaxis Framework visit the B.C. Ministry of Education Healthy Schools: Anaphylaxis.

It’s important for students with severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) that:

  • Their parents and physician complete the Medical Alert Planning and Request for Medication forms, and return the forms to the school. Visit the Parent and/or Guardian Responsibilities section of this page for more information

  • The epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen) is labelled for them and should be accessible to them at all times

  • School personnel, as well as the student, have had education about anaphylaxis and avoidance of allergens, and are trained in recognizing and treating anaphylaxis (our Public Health Nurses are available to train staff)

  • They wear MedicAlert identification at all times

Treatment information

These are the forms of epinephrine auto-injectors available in Canada:

Diabetes

Children with diabetes follow a special diet and/or inject insulin. Diabetes is a disease where the body is not able to regulate its blood sugar because it is unable to produce any insulin (Type 1) or it cannot produce enough insulin or properly use the insulin it does produce (Type 2). Most children with diabetes have Type 1. 

Learn more about the different types of diabetes.

Children who have diabetes control this condition by watching what, when and how much they eat balanced with their activity and, if needed, through pills or insulin injections. Children with Type 1 diabetes require insulin injections. Insulin helps control and lower blood sugar. When the blood sugar gets too low it can be life-threatening.

It is important for students with diabetes that:

Symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

  • Hunger

  • Sleepy/tired

  • Shaky/dizziness

  • Upset stomach

  • Mood changes or acting strangely

  • Sweating

  • Headache

  • Pale skin colour

  • Weakness

  • Blurred vision

  • Unconsciousness or convulsions/seizures (severe)

In case of severe hypoglycemia, call 9-1-1.

Low blood sugar reactions are most likely to occur:

  • After more exercise than usual

  • After missing a snack or meal

  • When sick or having extra stress

  • After taking too much insulin

Diabetes Resources


 


 

Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a rare genetic bleeding disorder. It runs in families and is almost always seen in males. Hemophilia occurs when blood clotting factors don't work as they should. Blood clotting factors help stop bleeding after a cut or injury.

There are two main types of hemophilia: Hemophilia A is caused by a lack of active clotting factor VIII (8). About one out of every 5,000 male babies is born with hemophilia A. Hemophilia B (Christmas disease) is caused by a lack of active clotting factor IX (9). It is less common and affects one out of 30,000 male babies.

It is very important for students with hemophilia that:

How serious is hemophilia?

How serious the disease is depends on how much clotting factor is produced and when bleeding most often occurs. There are three levels of hemophilia:

  • Mild hemophilia: Clotting factor level is at least 5 per cent of normal. This type might not be noticed unless there is a lot of bleeding after a major injury or surgery.

  • Moderate hemophilia: Clotting factor level is 1 per cent to 5 per cent of normal. Bleeding normally follows a fall, sprain or strain.

  • Severe hemophilia: Clotting factor level is less than 1 per cent of normal. Bleeding often happens one or more times a week for no reason.

Currently, there is no cure for hemophilia but treatment options are available.

Seizures and Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that makes people susceptible to seizures. Seizures are changes in sensation, awareness or behaviour brought about by a brief electrical disturbance in the brain. These seizures vary from a momentary disruption of the senses to short periods of unconsciousness or staring spells to convulsions.

People with epilepsy can live, work and function in the world as well as anyone else. A child who has a seizure doesn’t usually require medical attention unless:

  • There is no known history of epilepsy

  • Consciousness doesn’t return after the seizure ends

  • A second seizure begins shortly after the first and consciousness wasn’t regained after the first

  • A seizure shows no sign of ending after five minutes

It is very important for students with epilepsy that:

  • Their parents and physician complete the Medical Alert Planning and Request for Medication forms and return the forms to the school. Visit the Parent and/or Guardian Responsibilities section of this page for more information.

  • Their medication is labelled for them

  • School personnel as well as the student have had education about epilepsy and seizures, and are aware of the care needed for the student in case of an emergency

  • They wear their MedicAlert identification bracelet at all times

Signs of a seizure

  • Blank staring into space   

  • "Empty" look in eyes

  • Inability to pay attention   

  • Jerky movements for a short period

  • Repetitive movements of body parts, usually head, arms or legs

  • Total body jerking with eyes rolled back in head, frothing at mouth, loss of body control and loss of consciousness

Medication Responsibilities

Parent and/or guardian responsibilities

Parents are responsible for making sure their child gets necessary medications. School boards recognize that there are rare times when it is essential for school staff to help a child by giving medications.

Your responsibilities as a parent or guardian include the following:

  • Complete a Request for Administration of Medication in School form (provided by the school) if it is necessary for your child to be given medicine at school. This form must be:

    • Updated when changes to medications or care plans occur

    • Completed and updated each school year or more often, as needed

  • Inform your child’s school of any new medical condition or any changes to existing medical conditions

  • Write a detailed care plan (form provided by the school) that includes the physician's prescribed treatment and any medications that must be administered at school. This plan should be updated yearly or more often as needed, and the school should be informed of any updates. Public Health Nurses are available for consultation

  • Supply any medications required such as an epinephrine auto injector (e.g., EpiPen), inhaler or glucagon-containing emergency kit. Expired medications will not be accepted or used

  • Order a MedicAlert bracelet or allergy badge for your child to wear at all times

School responsibilities

The responsibilities of school staff include the following:

  • Ensure that all staff (including temporary staff) are aware of the children in the school with severe medical conditions and are trained to give treatment and/or prescribed medications in an emergency. Public Health Nurses can provide training sessions on medical conditions

  • Store medication/equipment in a location that is safe, at room temperature (unless noted otherwise), easily accessible to staff, labelled and unlocked

  • Prepare a medical equipment kit for all field trips. The kit should contain a recent photo of the child, emergency procedure/instructions and prescribed medication

MedicAlert Identification

Any child with a serious medical condition should have identification with them, such as a MedicAlert bracelet, necklace or badge. 

MedicAlert tells emergency staff:

  • Your child's name

  • What condition they have

  • What treatment is needed

  • Who to contact in case of emergency

MedicAlert products and ordering information can be found at your physician's office, drugstore or by visiting www.medicalert.ca or calling 1-800-668-1507.

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