Asthma and teaching

[MrsBlueberry]

Hi

I'm new to this forum but, unfortunately, not new to having asthma. I'd be interested to hear of any other forum members who are teachers and whether teaching has had a negative/positive effect on your symptoms.

I seem to be picking up every bug going and suffering as a result. Can anybody else relate to this?

[Hidden]

Yes. I used to be a primary school teacher and I picked up every bug going round. The one time I ended up in hospital (as a result of pneumonia aggravated asthma) was when I was teaching.

Teaching can be exhausting and stressful, neither of which is helpful for those of us who are a little more vulnerable to infection as a result of asthma.

[MrsBlueberry in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Maggie. I ended up with pneumonia a few years ago too but this year seems to have been particularly bad. I'm off at the moment , been for an occupational health consultation and told I'm not fit to work. It's all depressing /distressing and, as you say, stressful.

[lejaya]

Hi I work in a high school i don't teach I'm the school nurse but I seem to pick up alot of things to since January I have had 2 colds, 2 chest infections and laryngitis. also alot of the teachers seem to be ill quite alot with colds etc

I think because there are so many people in close surroundings in schools germs tend to spread very quickly also alot of my students have very poor hygeine

lejaya

[Hidden]

Hi MrsBlueberry..yes teaching is exhausting because you have to talk a lot for a start. Well being a language teacher I do and then you do pick up all the viruses going round..but I wouldn't give it up for the whole world in Margate^^ Take care x

[Choristermum]

I'm a primary school teacher and without a doubt any school is a hot-house for germs. I know I've had more than my fair share over the years and with asthma it does seem to be one cough/cold/chest infection after another.

The school I work at are very supportive and have instructed me to opt out of things which trigger my asthma when I'm not feeling great. So, for example, I can ask someone else to do my playground duties when it is cold, or go and teach someone else's class and have them take my class out for games etc...

I have found the hard way, that it is so much better to be open and honest about how you're feeling and take action to avoid getting worse than to soldier on pretending that all is fine. I'm lucky to work in such a supportive school where they recognise that a few simple changes can mean the difference between me being in school or off ill for weeks on end.

Hope this is useful and that you are also able to find an accommodating school in which to enjoy your teaching career.

[Hidden]

I firmly believe its because we inject our children with the bugs in the first place, I have never had a flu jab, and never will