Asthma accounts for 10 million lost school days annually. It is the leading cause of school absenteeism attributed to chronic conditions. Asthma accounts for one in six of all pediatric emergency visits in the United States. The estimated annual rate for emergency room visits among children under age 5 with asthma is 120.7 per 100,000 the highest rate of all age groups. Asthma is characterized by excessive sensitivity of the lungs to various stimuli.
Triggers range from viral infections to allergies, to irritating gases and particles in the air.
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