Each family is required to fill out this form, even if your student is not taking any medications during trips (if this is the case, please read through the below information.) In the spirit of establishing a system that works for each family, we would like you to choose how you want medications handled. Below are some things to keep in mind.
Each trip group has an extensive first aid kit that the leaders carry. It may include generic supplies for injuries as well as illness. Those include (but are not limited to): decongestants (for cold-like symptoms), ibuprofen (pain reliever and anti-inflammatory), acetaminophen (pain reliever and fever reducer), antihistamine (allergies, allergic reactions), antacid (upset stomach), Pepto Bismol (diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach), throat lozenges (sore throats, also contain sugar for hypoglycemic emergencies), hydrocortisone cream (allergic reactions, bites and stings), Imodium (loperamide is the generic name for more severe diarrhea), Epi-pen (epinephrine injection for unexpected life-threatening anaphylactic allergic reactions), Arithromycin (antibiotic for severe diarrhea infections), and Monistat (vaginal yeast infections resulting from uncleanliness or antibiotics.) Our group first aid kit is sufficient for the entire group for the entire trip.
Our staff is prepared to provide the above medications when the noted symptoms are reported by the student or observed by the staff, unless symptoms don't improve and more advanced medical help is needed (eg: diarrhea that won't go away, etc.) Please keep in mind it is essential that trip leaders know if a student is using any of the above medications so that we can monitor whether the symptoms are getting better or worse, are being treated correctly and thoroughly, and so that we can make good decisions about the itinerary based on group health. That said, we want you to decide what medications your student brings in addition to any prescriptions they might hold, especially if they have a history of a certain illness (eg: motion sickness, traveler's diarrhea, etc.)
If your student has a history or a chance of having an anaphylactic allergic reaction, please make sure the Medical Form clearly states that and send 2 personal doses of epinephrine with your student to carry at all times. It is much harder in other countries to determine exact food sources for those who have food allergies.