Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe and sudden allergic reaction. It can occur when a person is exposed to an allergen. Anaphylaxis is potentially life threatening and always requires an emergency response.
Anaphylaxis often involves more than one body system, such as the skin, respiratory, gastro-intestinal or cardiovascular. Reactions usually begin within minutes to exposure and can progress rapidly over a period of up to two hours or more.
You should be aware of any students in your class at risk of anaphylaxis. It is important that students at risk get to experience all of the positive things about school and are not excluded from activities or events. Some students may be self-conscious about their condition and may not like to be singled out or have a fuss made about them in front of their peers. This is easily accommodated within our school settings by thinking about student needs during the planning process and making adjustments behind the scenes to class and school activities.
What resources are available?
A number of literary resources are available to assist in teaching all students about anaphylaxis. These would be appropriate to assist in supporting teaching and leaning activities should a child in your class or school have anaphylaxis. These texts are available for purchase through Ananphylaxis Australia.
Classroom activities are available for teachers to download and modify to suit the needs of their students.
The Anaphylaxis guidelines for schools - Edition 2 (pdf 1mb) forms part of a consolidation of health advice to schools. It supports the Department's policy Student health in NSW public schools: a summary and consolidation of policy (2005). The documents provide a step-by-step guide for principals to assist the in providing a safe and healthy learning environment for students diagnosed as being at risk of anaphylaxis. These guidelines are available on the Department's Student Welfare website.
Who do I contact in the Department for more information?
For further information contact your regional Student welfare consultant, Disability programs consultant or Student Welfare Directorate, Ph: (02) 9244 5861.
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