Wegener's Granulomatosis is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are a broad range of related diseases in which a person's immune system produces an inappropriate response against its own cells, tissues and/or organs, resulting in inflammation and damage.

There are over 80 different autoimmune diseases and these range from common to very rare diseases. 

April 2014

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires urgent medical treatment. It is therefore essential to know how to recognise and respond to an anaphylaxis emergency as well as implement appropriate risk minimisation strategies to prevent exposure to known allergens.

Teenagers and young adults have been identified as a high risk group for fatal anaphylaxis (1-3). It is precisely when they are becoming more independent, that they need to build the skills required to manage their severe allergies as well as know how to access their health professionals.  

Sadly, there are still deaths from anaphylaxis, many of which are preventable. Severe allergic reactions can occur at schools or in new surroundings, or as teenagers grow into adults, learning how to be independent and take increasing responsibility for managing their allergies.

An excellent segment was presented on the ABC’s 7.30 Report earlier this year about the difficulties adolescents face when venturing out on school excursions and, later, learning to be responsible for their own health on social occasions. 

To view this report by Adam Harvey, go to: www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3919912.htm

For information on the correct treatment of anaphylaxis see the ASCIA website www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/anaphylaxis-resources/first-aid-for-anaphylaxis  

ASCIA acknowledges that teenagers may need some guidance in transitioning from paediatric to adult care and as a result has produced an important new document for patients called Transitioning from Paediatric to Adult Care for Severe Allergies.

Go to www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-treatment/transitioning-from-paediatric-to-adult-care to view.

7-13 April 2014

World Allergy Week is an initiative of the World Allergy Organization (WAO). This year the focus is on increasing awareness of anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires urgent medical treatment. It is therefore essential to know how to recognise and respond to an anaphylaxis emergency as well as implement appropriate risk minimisation strategies to prevent exposure to known allergens.

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), a founding sponsor of AIFA, is supporting World Allergy Week with the release of three new resources for patients at risk of anaphylaxis.

The important resources to assist patients at risk of anaphylaxis are as follows:

• Anaphylaxis Checklist – to be completed by medical practitioners to ensure they address all the needs of the patient at risk of anaphylaxis, including teaching the patient how to use their adrenaline autoinjector using a trainer device.
  www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/anaphylaxis-resources/anaphylaxis-checklist

• Transitioning from Paediatric to Adult Care for Severe Allergies – a patient information sheet to help teenagers transition from paediatric to adult care. Teenagers and young adults have been identified as a high risk group for fatal anaphylaxis. Therefore, it is important they have the skills to manage their severe allergies as well as know how to access their health care professionals.
  www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-treatment/transitioning-from-paediatric-to-adult-care 

• Asthma and Anaphylaxis patient information – asthma, food allergy and high risk of anaphylaxis frequently occur together and asthma increases the risk of fatal anaphylaxis and therefore it is essential that patients at risk of anaphylaxis who also have asthma, ensure their asthma is well managed.
  www.allergy.org.au/patients/asthma-and-allergy/asthma-and-anaphylaxis

9 September 2013

Allergy and other immune diseases are amongst the fastest growing chronic and complex health conditions in Australasia affecting one in four children and adults in Australia and New Zealand.

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) said the rapid rise has resulted in an urgent need for new research to understand the reasons for the increasing prevalence and to help find potential new treatments and cures.

Today in Perth, ASCIA will launch the Allergy and Immunology Foundation of Australasia (AIFA) to fund high quality education and research projects into disorders of the human immune system in Australia and New Zealand.

The Australasian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) produces and commissions reports relevant to allergy and immunolgy. 

In 2007, ASCIA commissioned Access Economics to determine the financial cost of allergies and impact on productivity and health system expenditure. 

The report The Economic Impact of Allergic Disease: Not to be Sneezed At outlines how the financial cost of allergies was $7.8 billion, with lost productivity and health system expenditure the major contributing factors.

It was also highlighted that most Australians face a wait of many months to see an allergy and immunology specialist, if they can access care at all.

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) has developed ASCIA anaphylaxis training for first aid (community) in response to the recognised need for quality anaphylaxis training for the general community. This course provides ready access to high quality, consistent, reliable and evidence based anaphylaxis education throughout Australia and New Zealand.