Talking About Asthma
If, when, and how much you share is entirely your decision. Here are ways to open up at your own pace.
Sharing health information is a personal decision. Some people in your life may need to know more about your asthma, and others do not need much detail at all. There should never be pressure on you to share more than feels comfortable.
Why It Can Help to Talk
Letting the right people in can make daily life easier and keep you safer.
- It can be helpful for people close to you, such as family and friends, to know about your asthma.
- When the people around you understand your asthma, they can support you best.
- Letting others know about your triggers can prevent uncomfortable situations, such as having to leave early, cancel plans, or risk exposure to smoke or pet dander when spending time with friends.
Talking About It With Others
A little preparation makes those everyday conversations easier.
Friends, classmates, teachers, or others may react in different ways:
- They may have heard of asthma but not know your specific symptoms or details.
- They may notice when you use your inhaler and ask questions.
- They often ask out of genuine concern and interest in your well-being, so try not to take offense.
- You can share as little or as much as feels right, and you do not owe anyone your full medical story.
- You do not have to tell anyone if you would rather not. There is no rule that says you must disclose a health condition to friends, classmates, employers, or anyone else.
At School and College
A few key people on campus should know enough to keep you safe.
It may be useful to share some information at school in case of an asthma attack, and to ask them to store emergency medication. The same can be true at college or in the workplace.
Consider sharing- A copy of your asthma action plan.
- Medication, if you cannot always keep it with you, for example a spare inhaler given to the school nurse.
- Contact information for your doctor.
- A 504 plan, which provides accommodations such as flexible attendance for medical appointments, adjustments in physical education, and permission to carry and use medication in class.
- An IEP (Individualized Education Program), which is less commonly used for asthma but may include educational modifications for students with more complex needs.
- 504 or IEP plans from school do not automatically continue at the college level.
- Accommodations are still available through the college’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).
- Which asthma triggers you should avoid, for example dust, perfumes, or cleaning supplies.
- What your asthma symptoms look like.
- What to do in an emergency, including where you keep your reliever inhaler, how to help you use it, and when to call for emergency help. You can walk them through recognizing an asthma attack.
Accommodation options such as 504 plans, IEPs, and college disability services vary by country, so check what is available where you live.
Sport and Leisure
Let the people who lead your activities know how to help.
- If you take part in sports, let your coaches know about your asthma and how to respond if you have an asthma attack.
- Share anything your asthma affects in practice, so activities can be adjusted if you need it. Most people with well-controlled asthma can do any sport.
At Work
Sharing at work is usually your choice, with a few exceptions.
- You generally do not need to mention your asthma. Interviews are about your skills and what you would bring to the role.
- You can always share later, if and when it feels right.
- What your asthma symptoms look like and what can trigger them.
- Where you keep your reliever inhaler.
- How to help in an emergency, including when to call for help.
Workplace disclosure rules and legal protections vary by country, so check the laws where you live.
It is often easier to know what to say once you have practiced it, so this tool lets you try different social situations and see which reply fits best.