Disease or Syndrome
anaphylaxis
an·a·phy·lax·is [ an-uh-fuh-lak-sis ]
Subclass of:
Immediate hypersensitivity
Also called:
Anaphylactic shock
Definitions related to anaphylaxis:
-
A severe allergic reaction, causing symptoms spanning from itching and swelling to trouble breathing, convulsions, shock, and coma.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
-
An acute hypersensitive immune response that occurs from exposure to an allergen. It results from the release of histamine and histamine-like substances from mast cells, and can present with breathing difficulty due to narrowed airways, dizziness and hypotension, skin rash, weak pulse, nausea and vomiting.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
An acute hypersensitivity reaction due to exposure to a previously encountered ANTIGEN. The reaction may include rapidly progressing URTICARIA, respiratory distress, vascular collapse, systemic SHOCK, and death.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
An acute, severe multi-systemic allergic reaction that may include itching, hives, angioedema, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing and swallowing difficulties, and hypotension which may progress to shock and death.NICHD Pediatric TerminologyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction. It can begin very quickly, and symptoms may be life-threatening. The most common causes are reactions to foods (especially peanuts), medications, and stinging insects. Other causes include exercise and exposure to latex. Sometimes no cause can be found. It can affect many organs: Skin - itching, hives, redness, swelling; Nose - sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose; Mouth - itching, swelling of the lips or tongue; Throat - itching, tightness, trouble swallowing, swelling of the back of the throat; Chest - shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest pain or tightness; Heart - weak pulse, passing out, shock; Gastrointestinal tract - vomiting, diarrhea, cramps; Nervous system - dizziness or fainting. If someone is having a serious allergic reaction, call 911. If an auto-injector is available, give the person the injection right away.MedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
A disorder characterized by an acute inflammatory reaction resulting from the release of histamine and histamine-like substances from mast cells, causing a hypersensitivity immune response. Clinically, it presents with breathing difficulty, dizziness, hypotension, cyanosis and loss of consciousness and may lead to death.Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse EventsU.S. National Institutes of Health, 2021
-
Anaphylaxis is an acute, potentially life-threatening, IgE-mediated allergic reaction that occurs in previously sensitized people when they are reexposed to the sensitizing antigen. Symptoms can include stridor, dyspnea, wheezing, and hypotension. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment is with epinephrine. Bronchospasm and upper airway edema...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
-
Portier and Richet first coined the term anaphylaxis in 1902 when a second vaccinating dose of sea anemone toxin caused a dog�s death. The term is derived from the Greek words ana - (�up, back, again�) and phylaxis (�guarding, protection, immunity�).WebMD, 2019
-
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you're allergic to, such as peanuts or bee stings.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
-
Anaphylaxis is an acute, severe, life-threatening allergic reaction in presensitized individuals, leading to a systemic response caused by the release of immune and inflammatory mediators from basophils and mast cells. At least 2 organ systems are involved, such as the skin, the upper and lower airways, and the cardiovascular,...Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
-
Anaphylaxis, in immunology, a severe, immediate, potentially fatal systemic allergic reaction to contact with a foreign substance, or antigen, to which an individual has become sensitized. Anaphylaxis is a type I hypersensitivity reaction. Asthma is another example of a type I reaction, but...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
Return to OpenMD Medical Dictionary
> A
This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.