What you should know about Anaphylaxis Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Management

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening allergic reaction which affects more than one body part at the same time. The most common causes of anaphylactic reactions include foods, insect stings, latex & some medications. When you are allergic to some substance, the immune system overreacts with allergens & releases chemicals.
The mild symptoms of allergic reactions include watery eyes, a runny nose or skin problems with the rash. The second anaphylactic reaction is known as the biphasic reaction, which occur after 12 hours of initial reaction.

Symptoms

Anaphylaxis symptoms start within few minutes soon after the contact with an allergen. Symptoms include:
1. Trouble in breathing & tightness of throat.
2. Swelling.
3. Cardiac arrest.
4. Low blood pressure rapid heartbeat.
5. Abdominal pain.
6. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.
7. Cardiac Arrest

Causes of Anaphylaxis

Some Common causes of Anaphylaxis include:
1. Certain medications, especially penicillin, anaesthesia, aspirin medications.
2. Insect stings like bees, hornets, fire ants.
3. Food allergens include fish, cow’s milk, eggs, & some tree nuts.
4. Latex found in syringes, adhesive tapes, balloons & disposable gloves.
5. Allergies or Asthma.
6. Pollens such as grass & tree pollens.

Diagnosis of Anaphylaxis

The anaphylaxis diagnosis is based on the symptoms that occur after contact with an allergen that you are allergic to. The symptoms can be seen within 5 to 30 minutes.
1. The anaphylaxis diagnosis includes skin tests & blood tests.
2. You may be asked to provide the list of substances that you are allergic to.
3. Serum tryptase might help in diagnosing anaphylaxis.
4. Testing for food allergies.

What to do in an Emergency anaphylaxis

If you are with someone who is showing signs of anaphylaxis, act fast. And, even if you are not sure about symptoms of anaphylaxis, take the following steps immediately.
1. Call for emergency medical help.
2. Place the person in a better comfortable position.
3. Give medications to treat allergy attack, if they have them.
4. If the person is having trouble in breathing never try to give anything by mouth.
5. Check person’s breathing & pulse. If the person is unconscious administer CPR.

Prevention of anaphylaxis

1. Always keep the emergency medical kit with medications that are prescribed by your doctor.
2. Alert your doctor about your drug allergies if any.
3. Avoid the allergen contact. Especially if you are allergic to insects, be cautious when they’re nearby.
4. If you are allergic to food items, try to avoid them & read the labels before eating such food items.
5. Avoid your allergic trigger.

Complications of anaphylaxis

1. Cardiac arrest.
2. Shock.
3. Airway Blockage.
4. No breathing or respiratory arrest.

First Aid for Meningitis

Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection/inflammation of the membranes that covers the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can be either bacterial, viral or rarely fungal infection. Anyone can get meningitis, but babies and kids are most at risk.

Meningitis may become very serious. So, if you suspect someone suffering from meningitis you must call emergency medical help immediately.

First Aid for Meningitis

• If someone has any of the signs of meningitis, like shielding their eyes from the light, joint & muscle pain, headache, rash or stiff neck, high temperature call for Blood for sure emergency medical help 080 67335555 ambulance straight away and treat the fever.
• While you’re waiting for help to arrive, reassure them and keep them cool and try to give cold juice to them.
• Keep checking their breathing, pulse and level of response.

Causes for Meningitis

Most common causes for meningitis is bacteria and viruses that often live in our body including skin, gastro intestinal tract. But bacterial meningitis can be life threatening.

Viral meningitis:

It is one of the most common infection which is caused by the group of virus called Enteroviruses which cause mild infection, and can be spread through food, water, coughing, sneezing.

Bacterial meningitis:

Bacterial meningitis is very life threatening illness if you don’t treat right away. These are caused through infected saliva, or sinus infection.
Few leading bacteria which cause bacterial meningitis are Neisseria meningitides and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Fungal meningitis:

It is one of the uncommon and causes chronic meningitis. But, fungal meningitis isn’t contagious. Fungal meningitis, affects the immune system of the victim.

Prevention of Meningitis:

Meningitis is one of the uncommon but serious contagious infections which may lead to brain damage and even sometime death. Some of the steps that helps to prevent meningitis include:
1. The best way to protect you and your family from bacterial Meningitis is providing recommended Vaccine schedule.
2. Keep your hands clean to avoid exposure to infectious agents, especially before eating, after using the toilet, and petting animals.
3. Don’t share personal items, drinks, foods, utensils, toothbrushes and straws with anyone else. Teach children and teens to avoid sharing these items too and practice good hygiene.
4. Stay healthy and boost your immune system.
5. Cover your mouth & nose while coughing or sneezing & keep your distance from infected people.

Treatment for Meningitis

The treatment depends upon the type meningitis that you are suffering from.
Bacterial meningitis:

The bacterial meningitis is life-threatening and it must be treated quickly.
If you have bacterial meningitis, you will receive antibiotics until the infection is cured. Because bacterial meningitis is contagious, & antibiotics reduce the risk of complications. So you will probably stay in an isolated room for at least 48 hours. Also fluids are given constantly to prevent dehydration.
People with bacterial meningitis are recommended to stay in hospital for week to avoid infection.

Viral meningitis: 

Viral meningitis is usually much less severe and Antibiotics are not effective for treating viral meningitis and people with viral meningitis are completely recover within 7 days.
The best treatment for viral meningitis is Rest, hydration, anti-viral medicine may be given as needed. No surgical therapy is suggested for viral meningitis.
Fungal meningitis:

Fungal meningitis will be treated with anti-fungal medications in the hospital. Fungal meningitis treatment depends upon the strength of immune system & the type of fungus that caused the infection. If there is a weak immune system then the treatment maybe often longer.

Frequently Asking Questions about Meningitis:

1. What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection/inflammation of the membranes that covers the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can be either bacterial, viral or rarely fungal infection. Anyone can get meningitis, but babies and kids are most at risk.

2. Who is at risk for meningitis?

Any person of any age may develop meningitis. But meningitis is more common in infants, young children & people older than age 60.

3. Is meningitis contagious?

Close contact with the victim or sharing personal items can spread the bacteria and virus meningitis. This includes sharing drinks, foods, utensils, towels, toothbrushes and straws. Coughing, or sneezing.

4. How do doctors diagnose meningitis?

Meningitis symptoms are Fever, Neck stiffness, severe Headache & vomiting. In addition to these symptoms, doctors conduct a physical exam and also collect sample of spinal fluid (spinal tap).
Other tests may include:
1. Blood and urine tests.
2. A neurological exam to test nerve.
3. CT scan.
4. Lumbar puncture.

5. What are the complications of meningitis?

Complications of meningitis include:
1. Poor memory.
2. Epilepsy (seizures).
3. Poor memory & concentration.
4. Hearing loss.
5. Learning disabilities
6. Loss of Vision.
7. Brain damage
8. Shock
9. Kidney problems
10. Arthritis.

6. Is it possible to prevent meningitis?

There are many vaccines are available to prevent bacterial meningitis. Some of the preventive measures include:
1. The best way to protect you and your family from bacterial Meningitis is providing recommended Vaccine schedule.
2. Keep your hands clean to avoid exposure to infectious agents, especially before eating, after using the toilet, and petting animals.
3. Don’t share personal items, drinks, foods, utensils, toothbrushes and straws with anyone else. Teach children and teens to avoid sharing these items too and practice good hygiene.
4. Stay healthy and boost your immune system.
5. Cover your mouth & nose while coughing or sneezing & keep your distance from infected people.

For any medical emergency including Ambulance, blood requirement, first aid tips call Blood For Sure helpline 080 67335555 or visit Blood for Sure website http://www.bloodforsure.com/. To register in Blood For Sure, app link is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.areratech.bloodforsure&hl=en.