Anaphylaxis & Food Allergy

Anaphylaxis(Severe Allergic Reaction)

Anaphylaxis is a sudden, life threatening, severe allergic reaction. The most dangerous symptoms include breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure or shock.

Common examples of potentially life threatening allergies are those to foods or stinging insects. Other allergic reactions may also occur to medications, latex, or exercise.

Epinephrine is the first-line treatment in cases of anaphylaxis, which is usually supplied in epinephrine auto-injectors that is relatively simple to use (example: EpiPen® and EpiPen Jr® or Auvi-Q®).

While Mercedes ISD cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment at school, the district is committed to doing everything possible to ensure the safety of every child who has allergies.

Mercedes ISD has developed guidelines to manage students with these life threatening allergies so that they may safely participate in the educational process. Students who are at risk for developing anaphylaxis are entitled to carry and self-administer their anaphylaxis medications (epinephrine auto-injectors) while at school or a school event/activity, if they have met the legal requirements below:

• An anaphylaxis plan is required by the student’s physician or other licensed health care provider.

• The medication and the self-administration must be authorized by a physician or other licensed health care provider and documented on anaphylaxis plan.

• The student must demonstrate to the physician, or other licensed health care provider and to the school nurse, the skill level necessary to self-administer the medication.