School nurse: Air quality from fires could affect breathing, health

Some of you may be concerned about your health or your children's health after seeing all that smoke in the air. The Ballard High School nurse issued a note on the BHS athletics page about the air quality and what to watch out for. See below for the full note:

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As most of you know, there are 2 huge wildfires burning in Eastern Washington that are negatively affecting the air quality both east and west of the Cascades. I have seen several student athletes who have experienced some difficulties breathing possibly due to the increased particulate matter in the air (Seattle has been in the Moderate range, just below Unhealthy). If your child has reactive airway disease or asthma and has been prescribed an inhaler, it would be wise if they carried it with them if they also exercise or spend time outdoors. If your child has not been diagnosed with a respiratory illness but finds that they have issues with shortness of breath or increased coughing when they exercise or spend a lot of time outdoors, you might want to consult with your doctor. I am also happy to evaluate them in my office during school hours.

Hopefully for all involved the wildfires will soon burn themselves out. Here’s hoping for an increasingly healthy school year!

Meg Wakeman, RN, MSN, NCSN
Ballard High School Nurse