Anaphylaxis: Clinical Criteria, Severity, and Clinical Courses

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that is increasing worldwide. While it is often straightforward to diagnose, at times the diagnosis remains uncertain, especially if there is no clear trigger, symptoms overlap with other conditions, or patients mainly report subjective symptoms without confirmatory physical findings. Unfortunately, there is no gold-standard test for diagnosing anaphylaxis, so clinicians must rely on clinical criteria to assess its likelihood. The first widely accepted clinical criteria were published in 2006 by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, and in 2020, the World Allergy Organization proposed updates to these criteria. The new 2024 Anaphylaxis Clinical Support Tool addresses discrepanices between previous criteria.