Expert: Howard Lorenz - 1/29/2008

Question
I am 17 and I am planning to go into Airforce ROTC in college. Yesterday I was prescribed an inhaler for a cold I have and I'm not exactly sure why, I think it was a mistake... I have no past history of asthma and I can breathe perfectly fine. It is just a normal cold, stuffy nose and coughing. I have not even used the inhaler once yet or ever used an inhaled in my life before. A few months ago I was accidentily given an asthma test (the nurse screwed up the rooms) while I was sick with a different cold and that came up negative.  I dont have any form of Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome or any other condition that would disqualify me from the military.  I have been researching this all day but finding mixed results. I run and lift every day and my body and lungs function perfectly. So my question is this: does being prescribed an inhaler automatically disqualify me from the military even if I have been tested negative for asthma and RADS? Should I get the doctor to sign something verifying this? What should I do?

Answer
No

You have not been diagnosed with asthma...period. Just because you were given the test by accident or what ever the reason, the outcome is still the same. You need not mention it, because it is irrelevant.

And the inhaler...dont buy it if you dont need it. Doctors give this stuff away like it was candy....Its a perfect cure all to take away the stuffiness and they get a kickback from the pharmaceutical companies for prescribing it. DONT USE IT!!

You will be fine, just press on like normal. You dont have the condition, therefore you do not have to say anything about it. Doing so would cause you more harm than good. And do you self a big favor....Dont speak of it again once you are in the military...enough said...

HW