Governor Quinn recently signed into law additional legislation to strengthen the existing epinephrine-in-schools law, now allowing not only school nurses but any trained school employee or volunteer to administer an epinephrine auto-injector to someone believed to be experiencing anaphylaxis from a severe allergic reaction.
Food allergies are on the rise. Currently an estimated one in 13 children in the U.S. is living with a food allergy. Kids with known food allergies avoid their allergens and typically carry epinephrine auto-injectors with them wherever they go in case of accidental exposure. According to national food allergy guidelines, epinephrine is the treatment that should be given first when a person is experiencing anaphylaxis.
Fast facts:
· According to the CDC, the incidence of food allergy increased 18% from 1997-2007
· Anaphylaxis is an unpredictable, life-threatening allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death
· Everyone at risk for anaphylaxis should have an anaphylaxis action plan that include : (1)
Avoiding known allergens; (2) Recognizing signs and symptoms; (3) Having immediate access to
two epinephrine auto-injectors; and (4) Seeking immediate emergency medical care should
anaphylaxis occur
Having access to epinephrine on school grounds is critical, because reports show that among children with peanut allergies who have experienced anaphylaxis at school, 25% had not previously been diagnosed with a food allergy.
The fear of anaphylaxis is something Lurie Children's Hospital Advanced Practice Nurse, Christine Szychlinski, knows very well. Szychlinski is the manager of the Food Allergy program within Lurie's Department of Allergy and Immunology, where she has practiced for 35 years. She also does a lot of outreach in the schools. This legislation is critical to her patients and their families which is why she is pleased that Illinois lawmakers have taken steps to provide additional access to epinephrine auto injectors in the school setting.
