Thursday 29 April 2010
HEALTH INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU NEED TO HAVE WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN AUSTRALIA.IT IS A MUST I WOULD SAY.THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS TO SELECT FROM
Saturday 3 April 2010
HOW TO USE EPIPEN IN ANAPHYLAXIS
Auto-injectors (epi-pens) for anaphylaxis - an overview
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of an allergic reaction and is life threatening. A reaction can develop within minutes of exposure to the allergen, but with planning and training, a reaction can be treated effectively by using an adrenaline injection (EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr). An important aspect of anaphylaxis management is prevention and avoidance of the cause.
Please read Factsheet: Allergic and anaphylactic reactions.
Signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis)
Anaphylaxis is the term used to describe a severe, systemic allergic reaction that involves the respiratory and/or cardiovascular systems. Presentation of any of these symptoms, in addition to one or more of the above symptoms of a mild-moderate allergic reaction, indicates anaphylaxis:
Difficulty/noisy breathing
Swelling of tongue
Swelling/tightness in throat
Difficulty talking and/or hoarse voice
Loss of consciousness and/or collapse
Pale and floppy (infants/young children)
Treatment
The first line treatment for anaphylaxis is adrenaline, which may be given as an EpiPenﾮ injection for children weighing 20 kgs or more, or EpiPenﾮJr for children weighing less than 20kgs. An EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr is a single dose auto-injector of adrenaline, which is prescribed by a doctor.
If a child has a history of anaphylaxis, and/or an EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr, the following recommendations should be considered:
Each child who has been prescribed an EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr requires an Anaphylaxis Action Plan, completed by a doctor.
The Anaphylaxis Action Plan should be provided to the school or child care centre by the parents, together with the EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr.
Employers should support staff training, so that all staff can recognise an allergic reaction and be able to administer an EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr appropriately.
If a reaction is suspected, the Anaphylaxis Action Plan should be followed.
If an EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr is given, an ambulance must be requested by phoning 000.
Excursions and Camps
The Departments of Education and Early Childhood Development have clear guidelines for taking children on excursions and camps. Schools and children's services must read these guidelines prior to going on any excursions or camps.
The EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr should be taken on all excursions and a staff member trained to use the EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr must always be present. The EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr must always be readily accessible.
Care of the EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr:
Clearly label storage container with child's name.
Check expiry date regularly.
Store at room temperature.
Store in a safe, easily accessible location.
A copy of the Anaphylaxis Action Plan should be stored with the EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr. This contains contact details for parents/guardians and medical services.
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of an allergic reaction and is life threatening. A reaction can develop within minutes of exposure to the allergen, but with planning and training, a reaction can be treated effectively by using an adrenaline injection (EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr). An important aspect of anaphylaxis management is prevention and avoidance of the cause.
Please read Factsheet: Allergic and anaphylactic reactions.
Signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis)
Anaphylaxis is the term used to describe a severe, systemic allergic reaction that involves the respiratory and/or cardiovascular systems. Presentation of any of these symptoms, in addition to one or more of the above symptoms of a mild-moderate allergic reaction, indicates anaphylaxis:
Difficulty/noisy breathing
Swelling of tongue
Swelling/tightness in throat
Difficulty talking and/or hoarse voice
Loss of consciousness and/or collapse
Pale and floppy (infants/young children)
Treatment
The first line treatment for anaphylaxis is adrenaline, which may be given as an EpiPenﾮ injection for children weighing 20 kgs or more, or EpiPenﾮJr for children weighing less than 20kgs. An EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr is a single dose auto-injector of adrenaline, which is prescribed by a doctor.
If a child has a history of anaphylaxis, and/or an EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr, the following recommendations should be considered:
Each child who has been prescribed an EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr requires an Anaphylaxis Action Plan, completed by a doctor.
The Anaphylaxis Action Plan should be provided to the school or child care centre by the parents, together with the EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr.
Employers should support staff training, so that all staff can recognise an allergic reaction and be able to administer an EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr appropriately.
If a reaction is suspected, the Anaphylaxis Action Plan should be followed.
If an EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr is given, an ambulance must be requested by phoning 000.
Excursions and Camps
The Departments of Education and Early Childhood Development have clear guidelines for taking children on excursions and camps. Schools and children's services must read these guidelines prior to going on any excursions or camps.
The EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr should be taken on all excursions and a staff member trained to use the EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr must always be present. The EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr must always be readily accessible.
Care of the EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr:
Clearly label storage container with child's name.
Check expiry date regularly.
Store at room temperature.
Store in a safe, easily accessible location.
A copy of the Anaphylaxis Action Plan should be stored with the EpiPenﾮ/EpiPenﾮJr. This contains contact details for parents/guardians and medical services.
ALLERGY AND ANAPHYLAXIS IN CHILDREN-DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
Allergic and anaphylactic reactions
Allergic reactions occur when the immune system reacts to something in the environment that is normally harmless: e.g. food proteins, pollens or dust mites. Symptoms may be localised or generalised and range from mild to severe.
The most common causes of allergy in children are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, cow milk, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. Other causes are bee or other insect bites, some medications and latex (rubber).
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of an allergic reaction and is life threatening. Rates of anaphylaxis are not well documented, but are estimated at approximately 5 in every 1000 school children.
A reaction can develop within minutes of exposure to the allergen, but with planning and training, a reaction can be treated effectively by using an adrenaline injection (EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr). An important aspect of anaphylaxis management is prevention and avoidance of the cause.
Signs and symptoms
Mild to moderate allergic reaction
A reaction will include one or more of these symptoms, and it is possible that a number of them will happen at the same time:
Hives or welts (a red, lumpy rash, like mosquito bites).
A tingling feeling in or around the mouth
Abdominal pain, vomiting and/or diarrhoea
Facial swelling
Severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis)
This term is used to describe a severe allergic reaction that involves breathing and/or heart and blood. Any of these symptoms, as well as one or more of the above symptoms of a mild-moderate allergic reaction, indicates anaphylaxis:
Difficulty/noisy breathing
Swelling of tongue
Swelling/tightness in throat
Difficulty talking and/or hoarse voice
Loss of consciousness and/or collapse
Pale and floppy (infants/young children)
Prevention
Preventing an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis is most important.
Know and avoid the causes.
Do not allow food sharing or swapping.
Only give foods approved by the parents.
Use non-food treats where possible, but if food treats are used in class, give only those provided by the parents. (Encourage parents to provide a container of safe treats from home).
Practise routine hygiene and good food safety practices. Children and staff should always wash their hands after play and before eating.
Banning of products:
Banning of products that contain the allergen is NOT recommended.
Banning will not succeed in creating an "allergy free zone". It is difficult to achieve a 100% ban, for a variety of reasons. For example, product labels can be confusing, parents of non-allergic children may not comply with the ban, and lastly, staff and students can become complacent.
Food sharing:
Food sharing between children at risk of anaphylaxis should be completely avoided. These children must only have food provided from home or given with the parent's permission.
Food preparation:
Any staff, including relief staff, who are responsible for cooking or delivering food to children should know about the child's allergies. They should be aware of alternative words used to describe the particular allergy food. For example, cow milk may be called casein, and egg may be called ovalbumin. They should also be aware of contamination of other foods when preparing, handling or displaying food.
Art/craft:
Food containers or packages that contain the allergy food should not be used. Parents of children with anaphylaxis can help by checking art/craft products for hidden ingredients, as they are often more aware of terms used.
Separate tables should be used for art/craft and food. Where this is not possible, tables must be cleaned thoroughly between uses.
Excursions
The EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr must be taken on all excursions and a staff member trained to use the EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr must always be present. The EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr must always be readily accessible.
Treatment
The first line treatment for anaphylaxis is adrenaline, which may be given as an EpiPen® injection. Please read the factsheet on Epi-pens for anaphylaxis - an overview.
If a child has had a history of anaphylaxis, an EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr should be prescribed for the treatment or future episodes. Indications for prescribing an EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr , can be found at Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). The following recommendations should be considered:
Each child who has been prescribed an EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr needs an Anaphylaxis Action Plan, completed by a doctor.
If an EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr is used, always call an ambulance by phoning 000.
Allergic reactions occur when the immune system reacts to something in the environment that is normally harmless: e.g. food proteins, pollens or dust mites. Symptoms may be localised or generalised and range from mild to severe.
The most common causes of allergy in children are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, cow milk, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. Other causes are bee or other insect bites, some medications and latex (rubber).
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of an allergic reaction and is life threatening. Rates of anaphylaxis are not well documented, but are estimated at approximately 5 in every 1000 school children.
A reaction can develop within minutes of exposure to the allergen, but with planning and training, a reaction can be treated effectively by using an adrenaline injection (EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr). An important aspect of anaphylaxis management is prevention and avoidance of the cause.
Signs and symptoms
Mild to moderate allergic reaction
A reaction will include one or more of these symptoms, and it is possible that a number of them will happen at the same time:
Hives or welts (a red, lumpy rash, like mosquito bites).
A tingling feeling in or around the mouth
Abdominal pain, vomiting and/or diarrhoea
Facial swelling
Severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis)
This term is used to describe a severe allergic reaction that involves breathing and/or heart and blood. Any of these symptoms, as well as one or more of the above symptoms of a mild-moderate allergic reaction, indicates anaphylaxis:
Difficulty/noisy breathing
Swelling of tongue
Swelling/tightness in throat
Difficulty talking and/or hoarse voice
Loss of consciousness and/or collapse
Pale and floppy (infants/young children)
Prevention
Preventing an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis is most important.
Know and avoid the causes.
Do not allow food sharing or swapping.
Only give foods approved by the parents.
Use non-food treats where possible, but if food treats are used in class, give only those provided by the parents. (Encourage parents to provide a container of safe treats from home).
Practise routine hygiene and good food safety practices. Children and staff should always wash their hands after play and before eating.
Banning of products:
Banning of products that contain the allergen is NOT recommended.
Banning will not succeed in creating an "allergy free zone". It is difficult to achieve a 100% ban, for a variety of reasons. For example, product labels can be confusing, parents of non-allergic children may not comply with the ban, and lastly, staff and students can become complacent.
Food sharing:
Food sharing between children at risk of anaphylaxis should be completely avoided. These children must only have food provided from home or given with the parent's permission.
Food preparation:
Any staff, including relief staff, who are responsible for cooking or delivering food to children should know about the child's allergies. They should be aware of alternative words used to describe the particular allergy food. For example, cow milk may be called casein, and egg may be called ovalbumin. They should also be aware of contamination of other foods when preparing, handling or displaying food.
Art/craft:
Food containers or packages that contain the allergy food should not be used. Parents of children with anaphylaxis can help by checking art/craft products for hidden ingredients, as they are often more aware of terms used.
Separate tables should be used for art/craft and food. Where this is not possible, tables must be cleaned thoroughly between uses.
Excursions
The EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr must be taken on all excursions and a staff member trained to use the EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr must always be present. The EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr must always be readily accessible.
Treatment
The first line treatment for anaphylaxis is adrenaline, which may be given as an EpiPen® injection. Please read the factsheet on Epi-pens for anaphylaxis - an overview.
If a child has had a history of anaphylaxis, an EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr should be prescribed for the treatment or future episodes. Indications for prescribing an EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr , can be found at Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). The following recommendations should be considered:
Each child who has been prescribed an EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr needs an Anaphylaxis Action Plan, completed by a doctor.
If an EpiPen®/EpiPen®Jr is used, always call an ambulance by phoning 000.
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