Anaphylaxis: lesson learned from five cases

Anaphylaxis is a severe hypersensitivity reaction. Its clinical manifestations vary, affecting several organs at once. Skin symptom is the most frequent manifestation; however, diagnosis of anaphylaxis will only be established when involving one or both vital organs, which are cardiovascular and respiratory system. Other symptom, such as that involving central nervous system or gastrointestinal tract, may accompany. We present five cases of anaphylaxis which vary in onset of symptoms, allergen, degree of severity, therapeutic response and clinical manifestation. Anaphylactic reaction to drugs in these cases is mainly manifested as anaphylactic shock and reaction to food allergen causing obstruction of respiratory tract. Four anaphylactic events occurred at home and only one occurred in a hospital, thus education on anaphylaxis to general community is very important, especially for the patients and their families. Prompt medical assistance in patients with anaphylactic symptoms determines their therapeutic response. Skin test prior to administration of cephalosporin does not give negative predictive value toward anaphylactic event.