Summarize the following:
An Epipen auto injects epinephrine to counteract an anaphylactic reaction. If there is the possibility of anaphylaxis, get a prescription for this medical device.  Be sure to always have your Epipen with you. For children, it is useful to have one at school and the other at home to bring with them wherever they go. Adults and adolescents should carry their Epipen with them at all times. Discuss with your doctor the proper technique for injection. It’s vital that you cultivate a community that can protect the individual with the peanut allergy. Take special care at school. A substantial proportion of food allergies occur in school, and these reactions can be fatal. Over a two-year period, schools can expect that approximately 18% of students with food allergies will have at least one reaction at school. Educate the school nurse, family members, and caregivers as to the prompt use of the Epipen in the event of possible ingestion of peanuts. ead labels carefully. It’s important to become very familiar with how to read labels. Manufacturers are required to include peanuts on food labels if there is any exposure. This includes phrases such as “may contain peanuts” or “made in a facility that shares equipment that processes peanuts.” Anaphylaxis can be caused by more than just peanut allergies, such as bee stings. Food allergies comprise the leading cause of anaphylaxis in children under age four who are given emergency medical help. Assume that a person has a peanut allergy until he can be tested by an allergist. In the United States, there are roughly 30,000 episodes of anaphylaxis, 2,000 hospitalizations, and 200 deaths per year. If an individual has an anaphylactic reaction, she should be taken to the emergency room immediately. She will also need an immediate injection of epinephrine from a medical device like an Epipen.  The doctor may perform one or more of the following procedures on the affected individual. In 90% of cases, these procedures will prevent the patient’s death from anaphylaxis.  The individual will receive an IV of epinephrine in the emergency room. The patient will be placed on a ventilator if she is experiencing respiratory failure or laryngospasm, which indicates that respiratory failure is forthcoming. It is crucial that the person is intubated (a tube will be placed in the trachea) before the larynx begins spasms and will not permit intubation.  The patient may receive H2-blockers such as Pepcid or Zantac via IV, which will decrease a histamine response. The patient may receive blood pressure support with vasopressors if need be.   Delays in recognition of anaphylaxis were associated with delays in administration of epinephrine. Even in cases where anaphylaxis was quickly identified and the patient was quickly treated with epinephrine injection, 10% still died.  The person will likely be observed for several hours either on the medical wards or in the ER after the reaction, as a second, delayed response may manifest in a few hours. This observation period is vital to ensure a safe discharge.
Get a prescription for an Epipen. Talk with family members, caregivers, and school officials about the allergy. . Expect a peanut allergy if the individual has an anaphylactic reaction. Get immediate medical attention with anaphylaxis.