The World Allergy Organization (WAO) Guidelines
for the Assessment and Management of Anaphylaxis (subsequently
referred to in this publication as the ‘WAO Anaphylaxis
Guidelines’ or ‘the Guidelines’) were published in
early 2011 [1] . The recommendations made in the Guidelines
remain unchanged and relevant. In this 2013 Update,
a resource intended for use in conjunction with the Guidelines
and the 2012 Guidelines Update [2] , we highlight
major advances in anaphylaxis research published in 2012
and early 2013, thereby strengthening the evidence base
for the recommendations made in the Guidelines [1] .
S ome of the unique aspects of the WAO Anaphylaxis
Guidelines are summarized in table 1 . These Guidelines
were preceded by a survey of the global availability of essentials
for the assessment and management of anaphylaxis.
They focus on vulnerable patients, risk factors for
severe or fatal anaphylaxis, and cofactors that amplify
anaphylaxis. They include information on mechanisms
and triggers. They emphasize prompt clinical diagnosis
and prompt initial treatment that can be carried out even
in a low-resource setting, as well as anticipatory longterm
management of patients at risk of anaphylaxis recurrence
[1] .
In 2012, the WAO Anaphylaxis Guidelines and Guidelines-
related materials such as posters and pocket cards
that promulgate the main concepts of the Guidelines were
widely disseminated ( table 2 ). The posters and pocket
cards were translated into many different languages [2] .
In 2013, a patient information card based on the principles
of prompt clinical diagnosis, prompt initial treatment,
self-treatment in community settings, and prevention of
recurrences was developed and disseminated