What is protracted anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis may present in a variety of ways. The most common is the immediate form where one has symptoms within 5 to 30 minutes of exposure to the offending substance. One may also experience a bi-phasic response whereby one develops symptoms of anaphylaxis approximately 6 to 12 hours after the initial episode. Symptoms may mimic or be worse than the initial reaction. Protracted anaphylaxis is a term that describes a persistent episode, which may last hours to days. There may be asymptomatic periods during a period of protracted anaphylaxis. Given that anaphylaxis is unpredictable it is essential that all patients be treated promptly and observed in an emergency room where they can be monitored for the development of biphasic or protracted symptoms.
