Getting to know

Anaphylaxis (also known as an anaphylactic reaction, anaphylactic or allergic shock) is the most dramatic and potentially severe expression of allergy in which the allergic response triggered by a certain allergen involves more than one body organ and very often organs which are essential for survival. 

In a person predisposed to allergy, once that he/she has become allergic to a certain substance (which in medical terms is known as becoming sensitized to that substance) even minute quantities of the allergen can trigger the allergic symptoms. Even though this is not a rule, people with anaphylaxis are often very sensitive to the allergen and therefore their symptoms are prompted by contact a very small quantity of allergens. 

In many cases (although not always) anaphylactic reactions can be so severe as to put the person’s life in danger. The major risk is when the anaphylactic reaction involves organs essential for sustaining life, such as the heart, blood vessels or organs involved in breathing, causing an important failure in their function. Anaphylaxis (also known as an anaphylactic reaction, anaphylactic or allergic shock) is the most dramatic and potentially severe expression of allergy in which the allergic response to a certain allergen involves more than one body organ or even the whole body. 

In many cases (although not always) anaphylactic reactions can be so severe as to put the person’s life in danger. The major risk is when the anaphylactic reaction involves organs essential for sustaining life, such as the heart, blood vessels or organs involved in breathing, causing an important failure in their function. 

Once that sensitization has occurred even minute quantities of the same substance can trigger the allergic symptoms.