anaphylactic shock

American  

noun

1. Pathology. a severe and sometimes fatal allergic reaction to a foreign substance, especially a protein, as serum or bee venom, to which an individual has become sensitized, often involving rapid swelling, acute respiratory distress, and collapse of circulation.

---

anaphylactic shock British  

noun

1. a severe, sometimes fatal, reaction to a substance to which a person has an extreme sensitivity, often involving respiratory difficulty and circulation failure

---

anaphylactic shock Scientific  

/ ăn′ə-fə-lăk′tĭk /

1. A sudden, life-threatening allergic reaction, characterized by dilation of blood vessels with a sharp drop in blood pressure and bronchial spasm with shortness of breath. Anaphylactic shock is caused by exposure to a foreign substance, such as a drug or bee venom, to which the individual has been previously exposed. The substances act as antigens, provoking a preliminary immune response during the first exposure that results in a full-blown, immediate response during secondary exposure, called an immediate hypersensitivity reaction. Emergency treatment, including epinephrine injections, must be administered to prevent death.

2. Also called anaphylaxis

---

Etymology

Origin of anaphylactic shock

First recorded in 1905–10

Compare meaning

How does anaphylactic-shock compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• anaphylaxis vs. anaphylactic shock

Example Sentences

When my parents gave me that yellow M&M display in 2020, my throat tightened and my eyes welled up—not because I was going into anaphylactic shock but because I knew I was loved.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I was willing to risk anaphylactic shock for $7,000,” he once wrote there.

From The Wall Street Journal

Minutes later, he was struggling to breathe and went into anaphylactic shock.

From BBC

Wasp stings can pose a public health risk – they can cause anaphylactic shock - Mr Horsley points out, so he has a word of advice.

From BBC

In her grounds of complaint, Ms Hoskins states she is disabled due to her severe allergy to cocoa, which can "trigger an anaphylactic shock and lead to potentially fatal cardiorespiratory arrest".

From BBC