Anaphylaxis: a study of the condition and treatment

Abstract

Anaphylaxis is a sudeen, severe and life threatening hypersensitivity reaction following exposure to a foregin protein. The majority of anaphylactic deaths are caused by envenomation from stings followed by adverse reactions to drugs and food.

Treatment tends to be  through the use of intra muscular adrenaline, nebulised salbutamo, anti histamines and steroids, although evidence has shown that the time required for the anti histamines and steroids to work shows little benefit for the patient in the early treatment stage.

Given the nature of anaphylaxis, research on human subjects is fraught with ethical dilemas and a status quo in treatment regimes is likely for the foreseeable future