Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening medical emergency marked by the rapid onset of life-threatening respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms. Anaphylaxis must be diagnosed as soon as possible in order to execute an effective treatment and management plan. However, errors in anaphylaxis diagnosis may occur because of the short time available for diagnosis, the stressful atmosphere of the emergency department, the frequently atypical or incomplete clinical symptoms of early anaphylaxis, and the absence of helpful test markers. Several diseases can cause anaphylaxis to be misdiagnosed or delayed, increasing the risks of a deadly result. Furthermore, some clinical circumstances, such as general anaesthesia, may make detecting early indications of anaphylaxis more difficult. Drugs such as beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, antihistamines, and steroids might mask or reduce the severity of the first clinical symptoms of anaphylaxis.
To promptly establish and confirm a diagnosis of anaphylaxis, a thorough examination of clinical symptoms in all organs is required. Alternative diagnoses should be investigated, especially in individuals who are unresponsive. Avoiding errors in anaphylaxis diagnosis will aid in the quick development of viable therapies and further lower the number of fatal occurrences.
Reference: https://journals.lww.com/co-allergy/Abstract/2018/10000/Pitfalls_in_anaphylaxis.5.aspx
