What is Anaphylaxis?
{{More sources|date=January 2016}} {{Infobox disease | Name = Anaphylaxis | Image = Angioedema2010.JPG | Caption = Swelling of the face such that the boy is unable to open his eyes. This reaction was due to an [[allergen]] exposure. | DiseasesDB = 29153 | ICD10 = {{ICD10|T|78|2|t|66}} | ICD9 = {{ICD9|995.0}} | ICDO = | OMIM = | MedlinePlus = 000844 | eMedicineSubj = med | eMedicineTopic = 128 | MeshID = D000707}} '''Anaphylaxis''' is a serious [[allergy|allergic]] reaction. It begins suddenly. In some reactions there is a second wave which happens minutes or even hours after the first. It may cause death.<ref name=Tint10>Tintinalli, Judith E. 2010. ''Emergency medicine: a comprehensive study guide''. New York: McGraw-Hill, 177–182. {{ISBN|0-07-148480-9}}</ref> Anaphylaxis has many [[symptom]]s (signs of being sick), such as an itchy [[rash]], throat [[inflammation|swelling]], [[Dyspnea|breathing problems]], and [[Hypotension|low blood pressure]]. Common causes include [[insect]] bites, foods, and [[medication]]s. Anaphylaxis happens when a person eats, [[Inhalation|breathes in]], or [[Eating|ingests]] an [[allergen]] (something they are [[Allergy|allergic]] to). Their [[immune system]] over-reacts. It sends out special [[proteins]] from inside certain [[white blood cells]]. These proteins can start an allergic reaction or make the reaction worse. Anaphylaxis is [[Medical diagnosis|diagnosed]] (found to be sick with something) from a person’s [[signs and symptoms]]. The best treatment is an [[injection]] (a shot) of [[epinephrine]] (adrenaline). Sometimes doctors give other medicines along with epinephrine. Worldwide, about 0.05–2% of people have anaphylaxis at some point in their lives. Anaphylaxis appears to be getting more common. Half of the people who die of anaphylaxis have had no anaphylactic reaction before.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Bilò|first=BM|author2=Bonifazi, F|date=August 2008|title=