What is the medical term for a severe allergic reaction?

The medical term for a severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the immune system overreacts to a trigger, such as a specific food, medication, or insect sting. This reaction can cause a rapid onset of symptoms that may include difficulty breathing, swelling, hives, a drop in blood pressure, and potentially loss of consciousness. It requires immediate medical attention, often involving the administration of epinephrine to counteract the severe symptoms and stabilize the individual.

In contrast, anemia refers to a condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which affects the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing, but it is not specifically a severe allergic reaction. Allergy is a broad term that describes the body's immune response to a substance that is typically harmless, but it does not specifically refer to the extreme and life-threatening response that is characteristic of anaphylaxis.