anaphylactic shock
Noun: A severe, rapid, and potentially fatal systemic allergic reaction. It is a type of hypersensitivity reaction to an allergen (such as certain foods, drugs, insect venom, or latex) to which the body has developed a heightened sensitivity from a previous exposure.
This term is used in medical contexts to describe the most acute and dangerous form of an allergic reaction. It refers to a specific physiological state involving widespread effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
- The patient went into anaphylactic shock after being stung by a bee.
- Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylactic shock.
- Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include difficulty breathing, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness.
- "to go into anaphylactic shock": This is the most common phrase used to describe the onset of this condition.
- Without immediate treatment, she could go into anaphylactic shock.
- "to be in anaphylactic shock": Describes the state of experiencing the reaction.
- The paramedics arrived to find the man in anaphylactic shock.
- Anaphylaxis (n): The broader term for the severe allergic reaction of which anaphylactic shock is the most critical manifestation. Anaphylactic shock specifically implies circulatory collapse.
- Anaphylactic (adj): Relating to or causing anaphylaxis.
- He had an anaphylactic reaction to the antibiotic.
- Systemic allergic reaction
- Severe hypersensitivity reaction
While "anaphylactic shock" is a specific and grave medical condition, the term "shock" alone in a medical context can refer to other life-threatening states (e.g., septic shock, cardiogenic shock) characterized by inadequate blood flow. "Anaphylactic" specifies the allergic cause.
- a severe and rapid and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reaction to a substance (especially a vaccine or penicillin or shellfish or insect venom) to which the organism has become sensitized by previous exposure