What is the Difference Between Anaphylaxis and Prophylaxis

The key difference between anaphylaxis and prophylaxis is that anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that occurs within seconds or minutes post-exposure to an allergen, while prophylaxis is a medical term that describes the treatment procedures to prevent a disease or a medical condition from occurring.

Anaphylaxis and prophylaxis are two completely different terms with significant differences. Each is extremely important to make sure of the proper functioning of the human body. Anaphylaxis refers to an allergic reaction in the body, while prophylaxis refers to a treatment option that prevents something from happening in the body. Prophylaxis creates a positive impact on healthcare management systems.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Anaphylaxis
3. What is Prophylaxis
4. Similarities – Anaphylaxis and Prophylaxis
5. Anaphylaxis vs Prophylaxis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Anaphylaxis vs Prophylaxis

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that occurs within seconds or minutes post-exposure to an allergen. This condition is life-threatening. Allergens could be a food type, medication, latex, or insect venom. With the onset of an anaphylaxis reaction, the immune system of the body releases a set of chemicals in high doses, inducing a shock. This shock will cause a drop in blood pressure, narrowing of airways, and breathing difficulties. If untreated, anaphylaxis treatment can cause death.

The symptoms of anaphylaxis include low blood pressure, weak and rapid pulse, skin reactions such as pale, flushed, itching skin, constriction of the airways, swollen tongue or throat, nausea, and dizziness. Immediate medication in an emergency room is necessary to reduce the risk of death. Injection of epinephrine with intensive care treatment is a treatment option available for this condition. The risk factors for anaphylaxis include previous anaphylaxis, allergies and asthma, and other abnormalities like heart diseases and mastocytosis. The most reliable preventive option available is to identify body allergies and stay away from such substances.

What is Prophylaxis?

Prophylaxis is a medical term that describes the treatment procedures to prevent a disease or a condition related to the body from occurring. These treatments include surgeries, vaccines, birth controls, etc. For example, a hepatitis vaccine will prevent an individual from getting hepatitis. Hence, the hepatitis vaccine becomes a prophylactic treatment option. Prophylaxis is a positive aspect of the healthcare management system. It is always important to prevent a disease than treat the disease since it is easier, less painful, and less expensive.

Prophylaxis or prophylactic care includes different types, such as primary prophylaxis, secondary prophylaxis, tertiary prophylaxis, and quaternary prophylaxis. Primary prophylaxis is the prevention or increment of resistance to a disease condition that has not occurred yet. Primary prophylaxis includes routine medical checkups and timely vaccines. In addition, colonoscopies, pap smears, and mammograms are done to prevent diseases such as cancers by early diagnosis. Secondary prophylaxis prevents the re-occurrence of an injury or disease condition. Tertiary prophylaxis assists the recovery of the body from an ongoing disease condition. Quaternary prophylaxis prevents damage to the body by excessive medical treatments.

What are the Similarities Between Anaphylaxis and Prophylaxis?

• Anaphylaxis and prophylaxis are medical terms.
• Both are used to refer to a condition in terms of the human body and health.
• They require the opinion of a medical practitioner.

What is the Difference Between Anaphylaxis and Prophylaxis?

Anaphylaxis and prophylaxis are two completely different terms. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that occurs within seconds or minutes post-exposure to an allergen, while prophylaxis is a medical term that describes the treatment procedures to prevent a disease or a condition related to the body from occurring. Thus, this is the key difference between anaphylaxis and prophylaxis. Anaphylaxis causes life-threatening situations, while prophylaxis prevents diseases and unwanted conditions of the body from occurring. Moreover, anaphylaxis has a risk of death, while prophylaxis reduces and prevents the risk of death.

The below infographic presents the differences between anaphylaxis and prophylaxis in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Anaphylaxis vs Prophylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that occurs within seconds or minutes post-exposure to an allergen. Prophylaxis is a medical term that describes the treatment procedures to prevent a disease or a condition related to the body from occurring. Prophylaxis creates a positive impact on healthcare management systems. Anaphylaxis causes life-threatening situations, while prophylaxis prevents diseases and unwanted conditions of the body from occurring. So, this summarizes the difference between anaphylaxis and prophylaxis.

Reference:

1. Jennifer Whitlock, R. N. “What you should know: Prophylaxis and prophylactic health treatments.” Verywell Health.
2. “Anaphylaxis.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Blausen 0018 Anaphylaxis” By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Vaccination-injection-covid” (CC0) via Pixabay