Skip to main content

Key messages

When a patient presents to an emergency department or urgent care centre, they should be given the best available information.

This updated fact sheet helps ensure clinicians and patients have access to easy-to-read information about different emergency conditions.

Give this fact sheet to your patients when discharging them from an emergency department or urgent care centre.

On this page

    Download our fact sheet to provide your patients with easy to follow guidance on allergy and anaphylaxis. 

    This fact sheet has the #withconsumers tick from the Consumers Health Forum of Australia

    Allergic reactions happen when the immune system overreacts to something in the environment that is typically harmless to most people. They can be triggered by an allergen coming into contact with the skin, eyes, nose, lungs, stomach or bowel. Examples of allergic reactions include hay fever, eczema, hives and drug or food allergies.

    Symptoms of allergic reactions range from mild to severe. The most severe type of allergic reaction is anaphylaxis, which may cause death without prompt medical attention. In most cases, effective treatments are available to treat or manage allergy symptoms.

    Patient fact sheet

    Get in touch

    Clinical Guidance Team
    Safer Care Victoria

    Version history

    First published: November 2022
    Due for review: November 2025

    Was this content helpful to you?