Anaphylaxis

Immunization is the process of making an individual resistant to an infectious disease by the administration of a vaccine. It is regarded as one of the most significant achievement in public health because of its role in the prevention of over two million deaths annually and the control of communicable diseases like measles and polio (World Health Organisation, 2016). However, most people continue to avoid this form of primary prevention due to concerns over vaccine safety. In 1998, Andrew…

The human body is solely dependent on the protection of the immune system from foreign invaders that may cause harm to the body. It also plays a significant role in the development of allergies in which invading substances foreign to the body are identified as allergens, also referred to as antigens, and induce an inflammatory response in either a primary or secondary immune response. Secondary immune responses to allergens directly correlate to the more severe systemic reactions, however…

Bee, Wasp, or Hornet Sting Your caregiver has diagnosed you as having an insect sting. An insect sting appears as a red lump in the skin that sometimes has a tiny hole in the center, or it may have a stinger in the center of the wound. The most common stings are from wasps, hornets and bees. Individuals have different reactions to insect stings. • A normal reaction may cause pain, swelling, and redness around the sting site. • A localized allergic reaction may cause swelling and redness…

Cinnamon Allergy Cinnamon is a wonderful, aromatic and a versatile spice with many health benefits and medicinal properties. Its ability to manage, treat and heal various diseases and ailments makes it a 'super-food'. This spice is harvested from the bark of the trees, which are native to Southeast Asia, China and India. But this herb is not fit for everyone's consumption. People who are allergic to cinnamon must stay away from food preparations containing cinnamon. Such individuals may…

half-century, vaccines have helped to eradicate Small Pox, and are close to eradicating Polio. On the other hand, vaccines are said to have caused serious and sometimes fatal side effects. According to the CDC, vaccines contain a risk of developing anaphylaxis, a life-threating allergic reaction that is found in one per million children. -Is there a problem/issue? Failing to get vaccinated not only affects yourself, but others around you. After researching this issue, I found a plethora of…

Severe allergies are a challenging problem that can have a broad range of symptoms, reactions, and treatments. Not many people realize the severity of allergies. Allergies are an immune system reaction to allergens, such as food, insect stings, or pollen (Mayo). The normally harmless substances become allergens as the body’s immune system rejects it (Wright). This unwelcoming wave of symptoms is known as an allergic reaction. It is known that every three minutes, someone is sent to the emergency…

Skin test technique: • Skin prick tests are usually performed on the inner forearm. Any number of allergens can be tested, as few as 3 or 4 or up to about 25 allergens. The tested allergens in our study were sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate. • The arm is cleaned with soap and water or alcohol • The forearm is coded with a skin marker pen corresponding to the number of allergens being tested. Marks should be at least 2cm apart. • A drop of allergen solution is placed beside each mark A…

The EpiPen, a device which gives a shot of adrenaline to victims of anaphylaxis, has saved countless lives in our world. However, the price has spiked 400% due to Mylan, a pharmaceutical company, having a monopoly on the drug. This means a family would have to pay $500 or more to have a dollars’ worth of a lifesaving drug (Willingham). The insanely high price of an EpiPen also extends to other spectrums of the pharmaceutical industry. This may sound like the classic ideology of capitalism, but…

Intro The peanut is a popular food item in America and has become an integral part of American culture itself. The all-American song, Take me Out to the Ball Game, even features the famed food item in it’s lyrics. In the past, the peanut was a beloved American snack. However, the peanut has quickly become a food that induces fear and anxiety among Americans today because of the increased prevalence of peanut allergies. The rate of peanut allergies has tripled over the past two decades, and an…

threatening, anaphylaxis reaction that can occur at any stage of shots. Swelling, slight pain, and redness can occur after shots and may linger for days. After a few months of building up the patient’s visits are decreased to every few weeks. The decreased visits are known as a maintenance dose. The whole treatment takes around four years. This method is good for treating multiple allergies since all of the serums can be combined into one or two shots. As a result of the possibility of an…