What is Anaphalaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe, sometimes life-threatening, allergic reaction that occurs within minutes of exposure to an offending substance. The person suffering the reaction must receive an immediate injection of epinephine.
In a severe allergic reaction, the body's immune system responds to the presence of an allergen (foreign substance which triggers an immune reaction) by releasing histamine and other immune-related body chemicals. These chemicals cause the symptoms of allergies, which are usually mild but annoying, such as the runny nose of hayfever (allergic rhinitis) or the itchy rash of poison ivy. However, in some cases, the symptoms can be much worse and involve the entire body.
Anaphalaxis is the most severe allergic reaction in which immune chemicals, such as histamine, produce serious skin symptoms (hives, swelling) as well as severe breathing problems (swelling in the throat, narrowing of the lower airways, wheezing). They also produce a dramatic widening of the blood vessels, which results in a rapid, severe drop in blood pressure (shock). Anaphylactic shock is a life-threatening medical emergency.
Although the specific allergen that triggers anaphylactic shock may be different for each student, it often can be traced to one of the following sources:
 | Foods, especially eggs, seafood, nuts, grains, milk and peanuts. |
| Drugs, especially an antibiotic from the penicillin or cephalosporin group |
| Insect stings, from bees, yellow jackets, paper wasps, hornets or fire ants |
| Injected anesthetics, procaine, lidocaine |
| Dyes, used in diagnostic X-rays and scans |
| Industrial chemicals, latex and rubber products used by healthcare workers |
| Allergy shots (immunotherapy) |
