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JACI Highlights - February 2006
Simons – Anaphylaxis, killer allergy: Long-term management in the community
Traditionally, physicians are trained to diagnose and treat anaphylaxis as an acute emergency in a healthcare setting. In addition to this crucial, time-honored role, Dr. Estelle Simons advises in the February 2006 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology that physicians have wider responsibilities to individuals with anaphylaxis.
These involve: 1) risk-assessment; 2) risk-reduction; and 3) anaphylaxis education. Risk-assessment should include verification of the trigger factor for the anaphylaxis episode, by obtaining a comprehensive history and performing relevant tests. Long-term risk-reduction strategies should be personalized to include information about avoidance of specific triggers, and initiation of relevant specific preventive treatment; for example, venom immunotherapy for anaphylaxis triggered by an insect sting. At-risk individuals should be coached in the use of self-injectable epinephrine, and equipped with an Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan and with accurate medical identification. Anaphylaxis education should be provided for these individuals, their families and caregivers, healthcare professionals, and the general public.
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