08-09-2006, 04:17 AM
1. What are the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis?
Respiratory distress (from laryngospasm and bronchconstriction), hypotension or shock (from vasodilation), urticaria (large irregular erythematous pruritic wheals) and angioedema (subcutaneous edema frequently involving facial, circumoral and periorbital areas), and gastrointestinal and uterine smooth muscle contraction.
2. How is anaphylaxis treated?
Epinephrine 1:1000 (0.2 ml IM, every 10-15 minutes as necessary), antihistamines and corticosteroids; in persistent hypotension/shock, rapid infusion of fluids and use of other pressors may be necessary. Laryngospasm may require endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy.
3. What are the signs and symptoms of SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency disease)?
Failure to thrive and many infections from opportunistic pathogens, disseminated viruses and intracellular organisms (commonly including mucocutaneous candidiasis, chronic diarrhea and pneumonitis).
4. How does X-linked Agammaglobulinemia (Bruton's agammaglobulinemia) typically present?
Recurrent respiratory infections (otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia) within the first two years of life, primarily with pyogenic bacteria (S. pneumonia and other streptococci, H. influenza).
5. What preventative measures can be used in patients at risk for radiocontrast anaphylactoid reactions?
Use of low osmolarity contrast media; pretreatment with oral prednisone (50 mg every 6 hours, beginning 18 hours before administration of contrast medium) and diphenhydramine (25-50 mg IM, one hour before administration of contrast medium).
Respiratory distress (from laryngospasm and bronchconstriction), hypotension or shock (from vasodilation), urticaria (large irregular erythematous pruritic wheals) and angioedema (subcutaneous edema frequently involving facial, circumoral and periorbital areas), and gastrointestinal and uterine smooth muscle contraction.
2. How is anaphylaxis treated?
Epinephrine 1:1000 (0.2 ml IM, every 10-15 minutes as necessary), antihistamines and corticosteroids; in persistent hypotension/shock, rapid infusion of fluids and use of other pressors may be necessary. Laryngospasm may require endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy.
3. What are the signs and symptoms of SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency disease)?
Failure to thrive and many infections from opportunistic pathogens, disseminated viruses and intracellular organisms (commonly including mucocutaneous candidiasis, chronic diarrhea and pneumonitis).
4. How does X-linked Agammaglobulinemia (Bruton's agammaglobulinemia) typically present?
Recurrent respiratory infections (otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia) within the first two years of life, primarily with pyogenic bacteria (S. pneumonia and other streptococci, H. influenza).
5. What preventative measures can be used in patients at risk for radiocontrast anaphylactoid reactions?
Use of low osmolarity contrast media; pretreatment with oral prednisone (50 mg every 6 hours, beginning 18 hours before administration of contrast medium) and diphenhydramine (25-50 mg IM, one hour before administration of contrast medium).