Anaphylaxis episodes stats in schools show need for emergency supplies
The Journal of Allergy and Asthma Proceedings contained a study survey of more than 6,000 schools and the occurrence of anaphylaxis. The numbers reflect how frequently this scary condition threatens lives, and which forms of treatment were most effective.
There were 919 reported events over a one-year period. Ninety percent of the events were in students and 10 percent were in teachers and/or staff.
Sixty percent of the events were due to food allergy; twenty percent to an unknown cause; ten percent were due to insect stings.
Seven percent were caused by a drug allergy or environmental exposure and 2 percent were caused by latex allergy. Eighty percent of the cases were treated with injected epinephrine. Twenty percent were treated with antihistamines and of these, most were transferred to an emergency room. There were no deaths reported in the study.
The study’s researchers editorialized that it makes good sense that all school offices have adrenalin injections available, such as epinephrine pens. This strengthens a law signed by President Barack Obama two years ago (The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act) to encourage schools to prepare for these emergencies.