In young children, asthma is often misdiagnosed. Many young children with recurrent bronchial illness really have asthma. Anaphylactic reactions are general, dramatic reactions that can result in collapse and possibly death. It is caused by a sudden release of histamines and other chemicals that overwhelm the body. The onset is usually rapid and symptoms occur within minutes.
Death can potentially occur immediately or within two hours.
The first sign may be swelling and redness of the skin or may be a non-visible internal reaction such as swelling of the airway, a drop in blood pressure, shock, or nausea. The allergic person may also have a feeling of great anxiety. Minutes are vital. A recent study has found that thunderstorms that occur during grass pollen season can cause a dramatic increase in acute asthma attacks. The source of the increase in asthmatic attacks is speculative.