What is anaphylaxis?

➢ Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that starts suddenly, affects many body systems and may cause death. ➢ The pathophysiology of anaphylaxis is clinically defined by the physiological effects of the immediate-phase and late-phase mediators on the target organs ➢ By definition, anaphylaxis involves the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, or epidermal system; in most cases, multiple organs are involved. ➢ These symptoms typically come on over minutes to hours. systemic vasodilation and permeability cause hypotension (most common cause of death is anaphylactic shock, second is throat swelling and asphyxation