Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: Anaphylaxis Identification, management and prevention

Australian Family Physician Volume 42, No.1, January/February 2013 Pages 38-42

Ingrid Laemmle-Ruff MBBS (Hons), MPH, Public Health Registrar, Office of the Chief Health Officer,

Department of Health, Melbourne, Victoria; Paediatric Resident, Monash Children’s Hospital,

Melbourne, Victoria

Robyn O’Hehir PhD, FRACP, FRCP, FRCPath, is Professor and Director, Department of Allergy,

Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria

Michael Ackland MBBS, MPH, FAFPHM, is Senior Medical Advisor, Office of the Chief Health Officer,

Department of Health, Melbourne, Victoria

Mimi LK Tang MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FRCPA, FAAAAI, is Director, Department of Allergy and Immunology,

Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can cause death. In a similar trend to allergic conditions more

broadly, anaphylaxis presentations are increasing in Australia.

This article summarises current knowledge regarding the identification, management and prevention of

anaphylaxis, highlighting risk minimisation strategies relevant to general practitioners.

The most common causes of anaphylaxis are medication, food and insect venom. Medications are the most

common cause of anaphylaxis in older adults, particularly antibiotics, anaesthetic drugs, nonsteroidal

anti-inflammatory drugs and opiates. Food allergy is the most common cause of anaphylaxis in children,

but rarely results in death. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment with

adrenaline, as well as ongoing management. Important steps for long-term risk minimisation include

avoidance of triggers, prescription of an adrenaline autoinjector, maintenance of a personalised emergency

action plan for anaphylaxis, education for patients and families and regular review to optimise management.

Allergy, Asthma and Immunology