Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can get worse very quickly. Hang this poster where you keep epinephrine and where people eat, so anyone nearby knows what to do in the first minutes.
What is on the poster
Watch for these signs
Trouble breathing, wheezing or cough; throat tightness; hoarseness or trouble speaking; trouble swallowing or drooling; hives, itching, redness or swelling; nausea, belly pain, vomiting or diarrhea; low blood pressure; passing out; a feeling that something bad is about to happen.
It is anaphylaxis if there is any severe symptom, or two or more mild symptoms.
What to do
- Give epinephrine right away. By auto-injector or, for some people, by nasal spray.
- Call 911. If someone is with you, one person calls while the other gives epinephrine. If you are alone, give the epinephrine first, then call.
- Lay the person down with legs raised. Stay with them while you wait for the ambulance.
- Go to the emergency room, even if symptoms improve. A second wave of serious symptoms (a biphasic reaction) can happen.
- Keep two epinephrine devices on hand. In case one does not work or a second dose is needed.
Never give antihistamines instead of epinephrine in a serious reaction.
Built to the Science Safety Teaching Standard
This poster carries the SSTS mark. Like every Science Safety course, it is built to the Science Safety Teaching Standard (SSTS): every rule on it is taken from the body that governs it, at its current edition, and the source is printed on the poster, so you can check it yourself.
Stay current
When you get this poster, it is saved to your Science Safety account. If we revise the poster, or the Anaphylaxis module it comes from changes, we will email you, and the latest version will be waiting under Downloads in your account. Every revision carries its revision number and date at the bottom of the poster, so you can tell at a glance whether the copy on your wall is current.
Printing and hanging
- One-page PDF, US letter (8.5 by 11 inches).
- White background, so it prints clearly on any office or classroom printer without using much ink.
- Hang it where you keep epinephrine, and in lunchrooms, nurse stations and staff rooms.
- The QR code in the blue title band opens this page, so anyone can get their own copy.
- The QR code at the bottom opens the Anaphylaxis module.
Learn more
The Anaphylaxis module teaches the full topic this poster comes from.
Sources:
- Serious Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis) – Nemours KidsHealth (medically reviewed October 2024; reviewed September 28, 2026)
Poster SSP-0002, Rev. 2, September 2026.
