Education is a panacea for many ills and who knows it better than US health experts who have set a public campaign rolling, to inform the public about the virulence of an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis can actually descend upon its victim silently and with such alacrity, affecting many parts of the body. Food, insect stings, medications, and latex spur the allergy, which is the cause of nearly 1,500 deaths in the United States.Dr. Phil Lieberman, co-chair of the campaign said, "Many deaths from anaphylaxis are preventable with immediate medical attention. For some, especially those with asthma, it can take just one to two minutes for a mild allergic reaction to escalate to anaphylaxis. That's why it's critical for people to know how to take action."
The symptoms for the allergic reaction may show up as inflammation of the tongue, throat and nose; itchiness and redness on the skin, eyelids, lips or other parts of the body; cramping and vomiting or diarrhea; dizziness and fainting or loss of consciousness; and even wheezing or breathing difficulty.
Details on handling emergencies are available at www.acaai.org/public/
