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BOZEMAN - The U.S. Department of Education reports that asthma is the number one cause of school absenteeism among children.

"Children in classrooms can be exposed to other children where if one child has a cat or dog allergy and their classmate has a cat or dog at home, they might have allergen on their clothing," said Dr. Michael DiCello, and MD for Allergy and Asthma Consultants of Montana. "So that in fact might trigger their asthma or allergy symptoms."

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that the illness sends more children to the hospital than any other childhood disease. Some research also demonstrates that asthma related visits to the emergency room peak 17 days after Labor Day.

Doctor DiCello says it's important to talk with your doctor if you suspect that you or your child might have asthma, and to watch for symptoms.

"It can be coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness," said Dr. DiCello. "So those are the things parents and children should talk about with their Pediatrician so if there is a diagnosis they can make sure they're taking their medications regularly."

Dr. DiCello says asthma can go undetected, so it's important to talk with your doctor and do a Spirometry breath test, which measures air flow rates, or an airway inflamation test to detect whether or not you might have asthma.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 2.5 million children under age 18 suffer from allergic asthma, and the top three allergens children will likely encounter when they head back to school are ragweed, dust mites, and mold.