Key points about children with bronchiectasis and school
- bronchiectasis is a lung disease
- school is really important for tamariki with bronchiectasis
- tamariki with bronchiectasis need to cough - it helps them to clear mucus
- playing sports and exercising helps tamariki with bronchiectasis keep well - it's OK if they cough
What is bronchiectasis?
Bronchiectasis is not contagious - a child with bronchiectasis can't pass it on to other children.
Bronchiectasis is when the airways in the lungs have become damaged and scarred.
The airways become widened and mucus gets trapped in pockets within the airway. Having extra mucus in the airways means bacteria and viruses can grow quickly and cause infections.
These infections can cause more damage and scarring to the airways and lungs. Once scarring happens, it usually doesn’t go away. But, with good treatment, the lungs can improve and more damage can be prevented. Good treatment is especially important in young tamariki because their lungs are still growing.
See the page on bronchiectasis in children for more information.
Causes of bronchiectasis
In tamariki, bronchiectasis most often happens after a very bad chest infection or repeated chest infections.
Signs and symptoms of bronchiectasis
Tamariki with bronchiectasis feel well most of the time.
Wet-sounding cough
A wet-sounding cough is the main symptom of bronchiectasis and usually lasts for weeks. Extra mucus (phlegm or sputum) in the airways causes the cough and your child may spit or cough up some of this mucus.
This cough may get worse during infections, first thing in the morning and during exercise. But, it’s still important for tamariki with bronchiectasis to be active as exercise and sport help keep them healthy.
How children with bronchiectasis keep well
Things that will help a child with bronchiectasis stay well:
- regular physiotherapy to keep the lungs clear of mucus
- regular exercise and sport
- a healthy balanced diet
- having a smoke-free and vape-free environment
- having a flu vaccine every year
Signs a child with bronchiectasis may be sick
When tamariki with bronchiectasis become unwell, they cough more and the mucus can change colour from clear to yellow or dark green. The mucus can sometimes be smelly. They may lose their appetite and feel tired.
If you think a child with bronchiectasis may be getting sick, talk to the student and their whānau.
Tamariki with bronchiectasis need to see a health professional if they:
- are breathing faster than normal
- have a fever
- have pain in their chest
- are tired and not eating or drinking as well as normal
- are unable to take part in sport and exercise
- have a bad cold
- are coughing more than usual
- have a cough that is wetter than usual
- have more mucus which is darker, thicker or smelly
When to call 111
Call 111 within New Zealand (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) and ask for urgent medical help if a child with bronchiectasis:
- is struggling to breathe
- is blue around the mouth
- is hard to wake
- is floppy
- is coughing up a large amount of blood
How teachers can help a child with bronchiectasis at school
School is really important for tamariki with bronchiectasis. Teachers can make a significant difference.
It’s OK for them to cough
Tamariki with bronchiectasis need to cough - it helps get rid of mucus. Let them leave the room for this if they want to. Their cough may sound worse during exercise. But, it’s important for tamariki with bronchiectasis to be active as exercise and sport help keep them healthy.
Exercise will help a child with bronchiectasis - it's OK if they cough.
Medicine and an action plan
Support your student if they need to take medicine at school. If they have a bronchiectasis action plan, make sure your school staff have a copy of this.
School trips
A child with bronchiectasis can go on school camps and trips.
Supporting learning when a child is unwell
You can support your student's education by providing schoolwork if they're too unwell to come to school.
Some tamariki with bronchiectasis will have education support from the regional hospital schools.
Communication and privacy
Some tamariki, especially teenagers, do not want their friends to know they are unwell. It can help to have clear communication with the student and their whānau (family). This way, you are aware of any changing needs and can provide work during absences.
More information for schools and preschools
You can check The New Zealand Bronchiectasis Foundation website for information for schools and preschools. You can download their pamphlets.
Download Information for preschools and kindergartens (PDF, 290KB)
Acknowledgements
The Paediatric Society of New Zealand acknowledges the cooperation of the Starship Respiratory Service at Starship Children's Health and the Paediatric Department, University of Auckland in making this content available to patients and families.
