Anaphylaxis Center - Penn Hills, PA
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AnaphylaxisRead the Anaphylaxis article » Introduction to anaphylaxisAnaphylaxis refers to a rapidly developing and serious allergic reaction that affects a number of different areas of the body at one time. Severe anaphylactic reactions can be fatal. Most people experience allergy symptoms only as a minor annoyance. However, a small number of people are susceptible to a reaction that can lead to shock or even death. Anaphylaxis is often triggered by substances that are injected or ingested and thereby gain access into the blood stream. An explosive reaction involving the skin, lungs, nose, throat, and gastrointestinal tract can then result. Although severe cases of anaphylaxis can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure and be fatal if untreated, many reactions are milder and can be ended with prompt medical therapy. What does anaphylaxis mean?To fully understand this term, we need to go back almost 100 years. The story begins on a cruise aboard Prince Albert I of Monaco's yacht. The Prince had invited two Parisian scientists to perform studies on the toxin produced by the tentacles of a local jellyfish, the Portuguese Man of War. Charles Richet and Paul Portier were able to isolate the toxin and tried to vaccinate dogs in the hope of obtaining protection, or "prophylaxis," against the toxin. They were horrified to find that subsequent very small doses of the toxin unexpectedly resulted in a new dramatic illness that involved the rapid onset of breathing difficulty and resulted in death within 30 minutes. Richet and Portier termed this "anaphylaxis" or "against protection." They rightly concluded that the immune system first becomes sensitized to the allergen over several weeks and upon re-exposure to the same allergen may result in a severe reaction. An allergen is a substance that is foreign to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people. All... Recommended Reading Related to AnaphylaxisFirst AidFirst aid is the assistance given to an injured or sick person in need of urgent medical assistance. First aid applies to a broad range of medical situations and consists both of specific knowledge and skills (for example, what to do for each type of injury or illness) and the ability to assess a situation and make appropriate decisions (such as when to call for emergency medical assistance). Preparedness is a key element of first aid. While every home, auto, and boat should be equipped with a basic emergency kit that includes first aid supplies and a first aid manual, special circumstances may necessitate more advanced or specific degrees of preparation for an emergency. For example, residents of certain geographic areas where natural disasters (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods, landslides, or tsunamis) may occur should prepare for emergencies by assembling disaster preparedness kits such as earthquake kits, ... Other Related Anaphylaxis ArticlesEmergency Contact for Penn Hills
Nearby Penn Hills Hospitals * HEALTHSOUTH Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital  UPMC St Margaret  VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System  LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh Main Campus  Transitional Infant Care Hospital  The Children's Institute  UPMC Shadyside  Western Pennsylvania Hospital  UPMC Braddock  The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Forbes Regional Campus  HEALTHSOUTH Hospital of Pittsburgh  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh  UPMC Presbyterian  Magee-Womens Hospital  UPMC Mercy  UPMC Southside  Allegheny General Hospital  Kindred Hospital Pittsburgh North Shore  Alle-Kiski Medical Center  Select Specialty Hospital McKeesport  UPMC McKeesport  UPMC Passavant  Allegheny General Hospital Suburban Campus  LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh North Campus  Jefferson Regional Medical Center  Ohio Valley General Hospital  St Clair Hospital  Westmoreland Excela Health Hospital at Jeannette  Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital  UPMC Passavant Cranberry  Mayview State Hospital  Southwood Psychiatric Hospital  HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley  Westmoreland Regional Hospital  Kindred Hospital Pittsburgh  Monongahela Valley Hospital  Butler Memorial Hospital  Canonsburg General Hospital  ACMH Hospital  Butler VA Medical Center  Latrobe Area Hospital  Select Specialty Hospital Greensburg  Frick Hospital  Kindred Hospital at Heritage Valley  Medical Center of Beaver  Torrance State Hospital  The Washington Hospital  Ellwood City Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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Shock (Medical)
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Insect Sting Allergies
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