Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Many young people grow out of their asthma completely while others will have occasional minor attacks. Sometimes a serious asthma attack will require admission to hospital, in extreme cases a severe attack can be fatal.

Asthma affects the airways of the lungs and causes difficulty in breathing. During an attack there is less room for the air to get through causing difficulty in breathing and some combination of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath.

Often this is most noticeable during the night or early morning.

Those with asthma find that their airways are easily irritated and so a trigger factor such as pollen or fine dust can precipitate an attack.

Some of those with asthma may know what triggers an attack for them, but it is quite likely that they will not, as such triggers can be very varied. A cold can increase the chances of an attack in some, other triggers are allergic reactions to house dust mite, animal fur or pollen. Attacks can also be caused by infections, cold air, fumes or exercise. On occasions medicines or food or extremes of emotion can trigger an attack.

Most of those with asthma will take some form of medication, either a relieving drug-often taken using an inhaler- which opens up the airways, or a preventative drug-which will help to reduce the irritability of the airways and the effect of trigger factors.

Such medication will have been prescribed to be taken either when an attack starts or at regular times of the day, or before taking exercise.

Individuals may find that particular Scouting activities may trigger an attack or may have been advised against certain activities by their doctor. This must be taken into account when planning such activities.