Table 3 Diagnosis of anaphylaxis: summary of collaborating organizations' principal anaphylaxis guidelines ¹

Symptoms and signs (typically within minutes to hours after exposure; multi-system; rapid progression)

describe symptoms and signs in detail; Table 2

describe symptoms and signs; list frequency of symptoms and signs in different organ systems; Table E1

describe symptoms and signs; Figure 1

Clinical criteria for diagnosis of anaphylaxis

primary emphasis on clinical diagnosis; clinical criteria for diagnosis are listed and illustrated; Table 1, Figure 3

primary emphasis on clinical diagnosis: state “the history is the most important tool”; clinical criteria for diagnosis are listed; Figure E1

primary emphasis on clinical diagnosis: clinical criteria for diagnosis are listed; Box 4

Laboratory tests for confirmation of the clinical diagnosis

describe use of tryptase or histamine measurements and other tests in a supportive role; emphasize correct timing of blood samples; Table 3

describe use of tryptase or histamine measurements and other tests in a supportive role; emphasize correct timing of blood samples; Table E3

describe use of tryptase measurements in a supportive role

Differential diagnosis

comprehensive list provided; additional laboratory tests for ruling out other diagnoses are described; Table 4

comprehensive list provided; additional laboratory tests for ruling out other diagnoses are described; Tables E2, E3

comprehensive list provided, including detailed list of neuropsychiatric diseases; Box 5

Diagnosis of anaphylaxis in special populations

include reference ranges for vital signs in infants and children, and discuss relevant clinical and lab issues in infants, pregnant women and the elderly; Figure 1

include normal values for vital signs in infants and children; Table E4

describe patient-specific factors: examples include adolescence, advanced age, and gender; Box 6