DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF ANAPHYLAXIS

The first-line treatment of anaphylaxis is the immediate intramuscular injection of adrenaline (epinephrine). Failure to administer adrenaline probably constitutes medical negligence. What causes anaphylaxis? Allergy to venom from bee and wasp stings can cause anaphylaxis, as can allergy to latex and drugs such as penicillin, codeine and aspirin. The most common cause of anaphylaxis in the com-munity is eating a food to which the person is allergic such as peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. These foods account for 90 % of cases of food-induced ana-phylaxis.1 Even eating a minute amount of a particular food can trigger anaphylaxis. Some people are so sensitive tha