Essay On Anaphylactic Reaction In Schools

Anaphylactic Reactions in School Age Children
For many parents, sending their child off to a classroom is one of the safest things you do as a parent. New mommies and daddies send their children off to school where they mix common items from a kitchen pantry to learn about science. Their kids gain social skills while gathering around a lunch table and trade snacks brought from home, in their lunch boxes, prepared by a dotting parent. But for a portion of the population, these innocent activities that are very much part of a traditional school setting are just as unexpected and deadly as a random school shooting. These are the parents of children with severe food allergies that result in anaphylactic reactions. For my family, we had our first
Current estimations state that “1-2% of the general population is at risk for experiencing anaphylactic reactions caused by food allergies” (Hay, 2006).” Current research also states that children under 3 are more likely to experience an allergic reaction to foods, with about 5% of the population at risk (Hay, 2006). This is most concerning, because it is at that age that children are most often introduced to a school setting. Research shows that this number is growing. Kimberly Holland and Dr. George Krucick sites in his article, “Managing Your Child’s Anaphylaxis at School” that allergies occurring in school age children have seen an 18% increase in the last 10 years (2013). The American Medical Association defines anaphylaxis as
By preventing common mistakes, the child suffering from the reaction has a much greater chance of survival. School districts should consider a three prong approach to training staff to be prepared. The schools should have an emergency plan in place for persons with known allergies, require that emergency medications are available, and have written policies and guidelines for staff to follow (Morris, Baker, & Edwards,