The American Medical Association (AMA), at its annual meeting held this week, voted to adopt a new policy encouraging states to pass laws that will allow children with asthma and allergies to carry life-saving medicines in school.
Traditionally, schools have not allowed children to carry any types of medicine. Even asthma inhalers had to be kept in the school nurse's office.
However, as a parent of a child with asthma and/or allergies, you probably know that time is of the essence when it comes to treating an asthma attack or an allergic reaction. Quick treatment can make a difference in your child's health.
Some schools are starting to recognize this fact and have loosened this policy to allow students to carry rescue inhalers. But the AMA is throwing its considerable weight behind the effort to get state lawmakers to require schools to allow not only rescue inhalers, but also lifesaving injectable epinephrine and other allergy/asthma medicines.
If you support this initiative, you can write your local congressman or senator about your concerns. Your child's future health may depend upon it!
