Q: Our pediatrician said we should have an asthma action plan for our son. How do we do that?

A: An asthma action plan is designed to help families manage a child's asthma. The goal is to avert asthma emergencies by preventing and controlling flare-ups.

Because asthma affects people differently, asthma action plans are personalized for your child.

Generally, the plans include a list of the medications taken, early warning signs for asthma symptoms, and instructions on when to use the medicines and to call your health care provider. You should share a copy of the plan with your child's school, child care provider, and any other place at which your child spends a significant amount of time.

If your pediatrician didn't give you a blank plan to fill out, you can download one from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology website.