An invaluable resource of health information. Anaphylaxis is a
life-threatening type of allergic reaction. - Alternative Names
Anaphylactic reaction; Anaphylactic shock; Shock - anaphylactic
- Causes, incidence, and risk factors Anaphylaxis is an severe,
whole-body allergic reaction. After being exposed to a substance
like bee sting venom, the person's immune system becomes
sensitized to that allergen. On a later exposure, an allergic
reaction may occur. This reaction is sudden, severe, and
involves the whole body. Tissues in different parts of the body
release histamine and other substances. This causes the airways
to tighten and leads to other symptoms. Some drugs (polymyxin,
morphine, x-ray dye, and others) may cause an anaphylactic-like
reaction (anaphylactoid reaction) when people are first exposed
to them. This is usually due to a toxic reaction, rather than
the immune system response that occurs with "true" anaphylaxis.
The symptoms, risk for complications without treatment, and
treatment are the same,