Confirmed or suspected anaphylaxis should always be treated as a medical emergency as cardio-respitatory collapse can be fatal if not managed urgently.

The emergency management of anaphylaxis is fully described within the UK Resuscitation Council Guidelines and is summarised in their associated algorithm. An adapted version of this algorithm is available at the end of this module

Patient Assessment

Patients with a suspected anaphylactic reaction should be assessed using the ABC algorithm to identify life threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Life threatening symptoms include:

• Airway: swelling, hoarseness, stridor
• Breathing: rapid breathing, wheeze, cyanosis, fatigue
• Circulation: pallor, clammy, hypotension, faintness

Confirmed or suspected anaphylaxis should always be treated as a medical emergency as cardiorespiratory collapse can be fatal if not managed urgently.

An ambulance should always be called and €anaphylaxis€ stated.