An immediate and severe allergic reaction to a substance (e.g. food or drugs). Symptoms of anaphylaxis include breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness and a drop in blood pressure. This condition can be fatal and requires immediate medical attention.

against protection; a hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction in which IgE antibodies attach to mast cells & basophils, causing them to produce mediators (e.g., histamine) leading to greater capillary permeability, smooth muscle contraction & mucus secretion

An extreme reaction to skin contact, ingestion or injection of a substance. Symptoms include: Collapse Inability to breath Swelling of the skin, face, mouth, tongue Rapid pulse Low blood pressure Can be fatal if untreated. Treatment is by the injection of epinephrine (also called adrenalin). In piercing can occur with: antiseptics e.g. iodine containing compounds Antibiotics e.g. penicillin, used to treat infections

Acute allergic reaction with shortness of breath, rash, wheezing, and/or low blood pressure

a life-threatening allergic reaction to a foreign antigen.

the immediate immunologic (allergic) reaction characterized by contraction of smooth muscle and dilation of capillaries. This leads to hypotension and wheezing (broncho-constriction) with difficulty breathing and hypotensive shock in severe cases.[close window

A rare but life threatening allergic reaction in which the blood pressure drops and breathing becomes difficult.

See Anaphylactic Shock.

Severe, life-threatening allergic response characterized by lowered blood pressure, swelling and hives.

Severe allergic reaction occurring in a person or animal exposed to an antigen or hapten to which they have previously been sensitized. RT antigen, hapten.

Severe allergic response to a substance. Symptoms include; wheezing, congestion, nasal congestion, hives, immediate intense burning of hands and feet, collapse with severe drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and cardiac arrest. Symptoms typically appear within minutes or seconds of exposure to a particular substance causing the reaction. Exposure can be by means of injection, orally (by mouth), vaginally, rectally, through a breathing apparatus or applied to the skin. While fairly uncommon, when it does occur it is a Severe Medical Emergency! Without immediate treatment, it can lead to death. Yell for help, DO NOT leave the person. Begin CPR if necessary and have someone call 911. Do not stop CPR until help arrives.

a hypersensitive response to insect proteins.

a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to such allergy-causing substances as insect venoms, latex, foods and medications. Signs and symptoms include shock, difficulty breathing, itching and hives, convulsions, and coma.

severe reaction to an allergen which can cause itching, fainting, and in some cases, death

A severe allergic reaction that can include hives, swelling in the throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, fainting and loss of blood pressure. It may be caused by allergy to medications, foods or insect stings, and can have no obvious cause (idiopathic). For more information see ACAAI: Anaphylaxis.

A very serious, life threatening allergic reaction requiring immediate medical help.

A severe allergic reaction that involves much of the body-the respiratory system, skin, digestive tract and, sometimes, blood circulation. Symptoms include cough, wheezing, closing of the throat, runny nose, hives and swelling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and a drop in blood pressure that may cause loss of consciousness and even death

This is an acute, emergency immune reaction that occurs in some patients with allergies. It results in the release of toxins by the immune system that cause the person to pass out, stop breathing, develop asthma and in some cases go into shock and die.

Exaggerated allergic reaction to proteins and other substances

(ana-full-ax-is)- a type of allergic reaction that is sudden, severe, and involves your whole body. It can be fatal.

A severe allergic reaction with swelling, breathing problems and shock.

A generalized allergic reaction (also called anaphylactic shock) in sensitized individuals that results in life-threatening symptoms which may include vascular collapse, shock and respiratory distress.

a severe and sometimes fatal Type 1 reaction in a susceptible person after a second exposure to a specific antigen (e.g., food, pollen, proteins in latex gloves, or penicillin) after previous sensitization. Anaphylaxis is characterized commonly by respiratory symptoms, itching, hives, and rarely by shock and death (anaphylactic shock).

(severe allergic reaction) Life-threatening allergic reaction when cells in the body's respiratory system swell causing the victim to suffocate. The immediate treatment is the use of adrenalin (epinephrine) to counteract the effects- this is usually given as an injection.

a life threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms may include hives, wheezing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and swelling. If the swelling occurs in the airway, a person can die from lack of oxygen. In severe cases the allergic reaction may also cause low blood pressure which may cause a person to feel light-headed, pass out or possibly be fatal.

a state of shock, or an extreme allergic reaction

exaggerated reaction of an organism to a foreign protein or other substance to which it has previously become sensitized.

A life-threatening and severe allergic reaction, characterized by swelling, hives, inability to breathe and rapidly dropping blood pressure.

A life-threatening type of allergic reaction characterized by wheezing, difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the lips, eyes, throat or tongue and even cramps, nausea and diarrhea.

is a severe and rapid systemic allergic reaction to an allergen (such as a foreign protein or drug). Exposure may be by ingestion, inhalation, skin contact or injection. Minute amounts of such a trigger substance may cause life-threatening anaphylactic shock (see below).

a sudden, severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction caused by food allergy, insect stings, or medications. Symptoms can include hives, swelling (especially of the lips and face), difficulty breathing (either because of swelling in the throat or an asthmatic reaction), vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and a fall in blood pressure.

A severe generalized allergic reaction, characterized by low blood pressure, difficulty breathing and hives.

An extremely severe allergic reaction that can be fatal; it occurs after repeated exposure to an antigen.

once an allergic response has been stimulated by an antigen, the next encounter with that antigen may result in either anaphylaxis (a hypersensitive harmful reaction) or prophylaxis (a protective response giving immunity).

A sudden and severe allergic reaction, which results in a serious fall in blood pressure, and may cause unconsciousness and death if not treated immediately.

allergic reaction; an acute, generalized, and violent antigen-antibody reaction that can be rapidly fatal.

reaction to foreign material as a result of increased susceptibility following previous exposure

Anaphylaxis is the word used for serious and rapid allergic reactions usually involving more than one part of the body which, if severe enough, can kill.

An unusual or exaggerated allergic reaction to foreign proteins or other substances.

A severe allergic reaction in which histamine is released into the circulatory system; occurs upon subsequent exposure to a particular antigen; also called anaphylactic shock.

Allergic reaction. In severe cases, this can include potentially deadly anaphylactic shock.

A life-threatening allergic reaction that involves the entire body. Anaphylaxis may result in shock or death, and thus requires immediate medical attention

General term indicating hypersensitivity (an allergic reaction by production of IgE; local or generalised, then called "anaphylactic shock" which can be severe and life threatening).

Severe, life-threatening allergic response that may include lowered blood pressure, swelling, and hives.

A severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Food is the most common cause of anaphylaxis, but insect stings, medicine, latex or exercise can also cause a reaction. The commonest food allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, egg and milk products. Anaphylactic shock is characterized by swelling, difficulty breathing, abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, circulatory collapse, coma and death. See: http://www.anaphylaxis.org

The term is commonly used to denote the immediate, transient kind of immunologic (allergic) reaction characterized by contraction of smooth muscle and dilation of capillaries due to release of pharmacologically active substances (histamine, bradykinin, serotonin, and slow-reacting substance), classically initiated by the combination of antigen (allergen) with mast cell-fixed, cytophilic antibody (chiefly IgE).

Anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, is a severe, frightening and life-threatening allergic reaction. The reaction, although rare, can occur after an insect sting or as a reaction to an injected drug - for example, penicillin or antitetanus (horse) serum. Less commonly, the reaction occurs after a particular food or drug has been taken by mouth.

A type of hypersensitivity or allergic reaction in which the exaggerated immunologic reaction results from the release of vasoactive substances such as histamine. The reaction occurs on re-exposure to a foreign protein or other substance after sensitization.

an exaggerated allergic reaction of an animal to a foreign protein or other substances

A state of shock, as in an extreme allergic reaction. Systemic anaphylaxis, which produces peripheral vasodilation, bronchospasm, and laryngeal swelling, can be life threatening. In mastocytosis, anaphylaxis can be caused by allergic reactions or by direct triggers of mast cell mediator release.

an immediate allergic reaction to a drug.

Severe allergic response to a substance. Symptoms include wheezing, itching, nasal congestion, hives, immediate intense burning of hands and feet, collapse with severe drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest. Symptoms of anaphylaxis appear within a few seconds or minutes after exposure to substance causing reaction -- this can be medication or herbs taken by injection, by mouth, vaginally, rectally, through a breathing apparatus or applied to skin. Anaphylaxis is an uncommon occurrence, but when it occurs, it is a SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY! Without appropriate immediate treatment, it can cause death. Yell for help. Don't leave victim. Begin CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), mouth-to-mouth breathing and external cardiac massage. Have someone dial "0" or 911. Don't stop CPR until help arrives.

A severe, potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reaction. Also called anaphylactic shock (see Allergies).

An immediate and severe allergic response.

a potent allergic reaction, characterized by vasodilation and smooth muscle contractions, which can result in death within seconds after exposure to the allergen.

an acute, severe, sometimes fatal allergic reaction affecting two or more body systems.

Immediate hypersensitivity response to antigenic challenge, mediated by IgE and mast cells. It is a life-threatening allergic reaction, caused by the release of pharmacologically active agents.

A medical emergency which involves an acute systemic (affecting the entire body) allergic reaction. It occurs after exposure to an allergen to which a person was previously sensitized.

A severe allergic response.

Almost 100 years ago Prince Albert I of Monaco invited two Parisian scientists to perform studies on the toxin produced by the tentacles of a local jellyfish, the Portuguese Man of War. Charles Richet and Paul Portier were able to isolate the toxin and tried to vaccinate dogs in the hope of obtaining protection, or "prophylaxis," against the toxin. Unfortunately, subsequent very small doses of the toxin unexpectedly resulted in a new illness that involved the rapid onset of breathing difficulty and resulted in death within 30 minutes. Richet and Portier termed this "anaphylaxis" or "against protection." They rightly concluded that the immune system first becomes sensitized to the allergen over several weeks and re-exposure may result in a severe reaction. Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/anaphylaxis/article.htm

A hypersensitivity reaction due to the binding of antigens to immunoglobulins (IgE) on the surfaces of mast cells; the release of histamine, serotonin, and prostaglandins by mast cells then causes widespread inflammation; a sudden decline in blood pressure may occur, producing anaphylactic shock.

Serious allergic reaction combined with swelling and respiratory problems.

A rare but severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can rapidly cause symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling of the tongue and throat, and breathing difficulties.

An antigen-specific immune reaction mediated primarily by IgE which results in vasodilation and constriction of smooth muscles, including those of the bronchus, and which may result in the death of the animal.

A severe allergic reaction in which the breathing tube or airway can swell and shut off the air supply ultimately cause death if not treated rapidly. Epinephrine (adrenaline) is the treatment of choice.

The most severe form of allergy, in which the person's heart and lungs are unable to keep working, and death occurs unless prompt medical attention is obtained.

Anaphylaxis is an acute systemic (rapid, multi-system) and severe allergic reaction. The term comes from the Greek words ana (against) and phylaxis (protection)."Anaphylaxis." Etymology.