An allergist's role in a natural disaster.

摘要

Regrettably, it is now apparent that the incidence of natural disasters and possibility of bioterrorism are increasing. As medical practitioners and concerned citizens, allergists will need to define their role in these future events. Traditionally, allergists have been considered to be of little use in providing medical assistance during hurricanes, earthquakes, bioterrorism, and other tragedies in the violent 21st century. As a consequence, they rarely volunteer or are assigned duties in disaster preparedness. They join the ranks of other nonsurgi-cally experienced physicians, such as neurologists and gas-troenterologists, in being thought of as nonessential in providing medical assistance in these situations. There were striking exceptions to this, with many physicians in the Gulf states actively treating evacuees in the overcrowded shelters created in the aftermath of the more recent hurricanes. During Hurricane Hugo in 1989, my volunteer services were badly needed and most appreciated, yet I almost rejected the call for help when one of my fellow allergists asked me, "What will we do, give allergy shots?"