By La Salle Academy Healthy News reporters | Kids with asthma can certainly have fun, says pediatric nurse practitioner, Ms. Gabriella Melendez.

“Asthma shouldn’t stop you from doing what you like,” Nurse Gabby told Healthy News reporters. “If you follow your asthma plan, you can play and have fun.”

A KidsHealth.org video explained that asthma is when the tubes in the lungs can tighten, swell, and fill with mucus, which makes it hard for people to breathe.

“Asthma affects the kids’ lungs when they are breathing. It can trigger when you’re sick, [from] allergies, and [being] active,” said Nurse Gabby, as Ms. Melendez likes to be called.

The article “Asthma for Kids” from KidsHealth.org explained that asthma can be triggered by pet dander, pollen, dust, air pollution, sickness, and exercise. The same article also mentioned that asthma can be treated by avoiding triggers, taking medicine to prevent an attack, and/or using an inhaler when needed.

If you have asthma, Nurse Gabby said, “it is important to know what medicine to take and how to take it. It is important to know what to do” if you’re having an asthma attack. If you’re around a friend with asthma and they are having an attack, Nurse Gabby said, you should first listen to your friend, and then, if they ask for help, tell a grown-up.

If you’re having an attack, sit down, take a breath, and find an adult to help you, said Nurse Gabby. It’s also important that you don’t share medications, she said.

“So many professional athletes have asthma, so asthma shouldn’t stop you from doing what you want to do for fun,” Nurse Gabby said.

Illustration by Sameer, Global Leadership Academy, 2023–24.