Anaphylaxis

The life-threatening signs to look out for are:

• Airway - Hoarse voice, stridor

• Breathing - Increased WOB, wheeze, fatigue, cyanosis, SpO2 < 94%

• Circulation - Hypotension, tachycardia, confusion, reduced consciousness

A critical part of its initial management is IM Adrenaline (1:1000). The dose to give depends on the age of the patient:

• Child < 6 months - 100-150 mcg

• Child 6 months to 6years - 150 mcg

• Child 6-12 yrs - 300 mcg

• Adult and child > 12 years - 500 mcg

Once this initial step is done, and the equipment is available, it's important to:

• Establish airway

• Give HF O2

• Monitor - Pulse oximetry, ECG, BP

• Remove trigger if possible

• Lie patient flat (+/- legs elevated)

• Call for help early

If there's no response after all of this:

• Repeat IM Adrenaline after 5 mins

• IV Fluid bolus