Asthma attacks likely to increase as students return to university warns Scottish lung charity

With the autumn term starting at most universities, if you are a new or a returning student in Scotland with asthma, Asthma + Lung UK Scotland is urging you to protect yourself by registering with a GP, getting your inhalers and other medication checked, and sharing your asthma diagnosis with friends and those you live with. 

The increased risk can come from a combination of viruses, colds and ‘fresher’s flu’ circulating; potentially mouldy, damp or dusty housing; increased intake of alcohol; lack of sleep or getting out of the habit of using a preventer inhaler and seeing a GP or asthma nurse for checkups. 

Between 2023 and 2025, the average number of emergency asthma admissions among young people aged 15 to 24 in Scotland doubled between the summer and autumn months. This equates to an increase from an average of 71 hospitalisations in summer to an average of 143 in Autumn.¹

It is important to be proactive about your asthma, with the charity urging young people to take the following precautions: 

• Register with a GP at university as soon as possible, so you can get your annual asthma review and inhaler technique check and immediate support if your symptoms flare up
• Share your asthma action plan with new friends and housemates and explain how they can help you if you have an asthma attack
• Take your preventer inhaler as prescribed and keep your reliever inhaler with you so you can take it quickly if you get symptoms
• Get your free flu jab. Anyone with asthma who has a steroid preventer inhaler or takes steroid tablets is eligible for a free jab
• Keep an eye on your symptoms and triggers and make sure you get a GP appointment or call 111 if your symptoms are getting worse. Always call 999 in an emergency. 

As the weather gets colder heading into autumn and winter, the risk of having a serious asthma flare up could be made worse with respiratory infections like flu and RSV beginning to circulate.

In a recent survey carried out by Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, over 7 in 10 people with asthma responded that seasonal infections like colds and flu trigger their lung condition.³ And over 7 in 10 reported that cold weather is a trigger for their lung condition.⁴ The survey also highlighted that 3 in 10 of respondents living with asthma in Scotland struggle with condensation, damp or mould in their household.⁵

Meanwhile the same survey also revealed that only 30% of people (3 in 10) with asthma surveyed in Scotland are receiving basic asthma care.⁶ This includes having an annual review, an inhaler technique check and a written asthma action plan.

Poor care is likely a much higher issue amongst student groups as many have just left home and might be finding it hard to get face-to-face appointments or keeping on top of their prescriptions.

Catrin aged 22 has had asthma since childhood. She is in her final year at the Royal School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh. She said; 

“I have had asthma since childhood and the first time I was hospitalised was a baby. I was in and out of hospital as a child and there were occasions that my lungs were so bad, that my parents were told I might not make it. 

“Thankfully through trial and error and working with various medical professionals, we eventually got the right levels of medication and inhalers needed to control my asthma. I now take two doses of my preventer inhaler a day and have my reliever inhaler with me at all times because of my many triggers. 

“One of my main worries about starting University was making sure I could access the same medications and find a supportive GP that I was comfortable with and who understood my asthma. 

“When I started building up a good group of friends at University, I was very open about my asthma. At school it was difficult at times feeling comfortable having asthma because everyone would stare at me when I used my inhaler. Being away from home without a support network, you really need to have that discussion with people, so they know what to do if you have an asthma attack. Feeling safe and knowing your friends have your back is vitally important. We used to have a ‘what to do in case of an asthma attack’ on our fridge and they would always know where my emergency inhalers were just in case. 

“Although a lot of people I know have had issues in their student houses and mould, I haven’t had an issue, so have been lucky. The Student Union have people that you can talk to about mould in housing and who can contact landlords if they aren’t doing enough, so that’s good.” 

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, said: “It’s an exciting time in life, starting college or leaving home and going away to university where you have more independence. However, it is essential that if you have asthma, you know how to access the right care and have a robust routine in place to ensure you take your inhalers and other medication as prescribed.

“It’s important to be open about having asthma with your friends and flatmates, and to have print-offs or screen shots of your asthma action plans. It’s important too that you know what to do if you have an asthma attack, and you know in advance how to get to the nearest hospital.

“Many students are dealing with a perfect storm of asthma triggers during the first few weeks of university, such as tobacco smoke and vapour, alcohol, unfamiliar foods, stress, excitement and increased exposure to coughs and viral infections. Mould and damp housing and even different types of pollen and increased air pollution in cities, can all make those first few weeks starting university hard on your lungs.”

NUS Scotland President Justine Pédussel said: “Major life transitions like starting a new term or moving into a new flat can be chaotic, making it easy for key health priorities to slip through the cracks. It is vital for students, especially those managing chronic conditions like asthma, to register with a local GP as soon as possible.

"Too many students endure substandard living conditions like damp, high humidity, or mould, which can pose severe risks to their health. Landlords have a legal responsibility to provide safe, adequately ventilated, and mould-free homes. If these issues pop up, students must notify their landlord immediately and seek advice if the issues are not addressed in a timely manner.”

-ENDS-

References 

1. Asthma + Lung UK analysis of bespoke data supplied by Public Health Scotland. Asthma emergency admissions (2023-2025) for young people (15–24-year-old). Asthma (ICD10, J45-J46) diagnosis as an underlying cause of the admission. Summer defined as June, July and August. Autumn defined as September, October, November.

2. Asthma triggers, Asthma + Lung UK: Life with a Lung Condition Survey 2025. 518 of 843 people surveyed in Scotland reported living with asthma. 93% were older than 18 years.

3. 73% of people with asthma in Scotland find their lung condition is triggered by colds and flu. 

4. 72% of people with asthma in Scotland find their lung condition is triggered by cold weather.

5. Asthma + Lung UK: Life with a Lung Condition Survey 2025. 518 of 843 surveyed in Scotland reported living with asthma and 93% were older than 18 years. 477 out of 518 answered the question:

6. Asthma + Lung UK: Life with a Lung Condition Survey 2025. 518 of 843 surveyed in Scotland reported living with asthma. Basic asthma care is defined as receiving an annual asthma review, an inhaler technique check, and a written asthma action plan.