immunology allergic disorders
Anaphylaxis
Diagnosis of Anaphylaxis
Clinical evaluation Sometimes measurement of serum levels of tryptase Diagnosis of anaphylaxis is clinical. Anaphylaxis should be suspected if any of the following suddenly occur without explanation: Shock Respiratory symptoms (eg, dyspnea, stridor, wheezing) Two or more other manifestations of possible anaphylaxis (eg, angioedema, rhinorrhea, GI symptoms) Risk of rapid progression to shock leaves no time for testing, although mild equivocal cases can be confirmed by measuring serum levels of tryptase (preferably within 2 hours of the reaction). During anaphylaxis, these levels are elevated, and measuring them can help confirm the diagnosis if it is unclear or if the symptoms recur (eg, after treatment with IV drugs). The cause is usually easily recognized based on history. If health care workers have unexplained anaphylactic symptoms, Latex Sensitivity should be considered. Consider latex allergy in health care workers with unexplained anaphylactic symptoms. 