Anaphylaxis: A Handbook for School Boards - Education, Culture ...

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Canadian School Boards AssociationToo often, teasing and bullying contribute to that stress. One child received an anonymous e-mail whichsaid “I’m Peanut. You’re Dead”; another was chased by a schoolyard bully brandishing a peanut; a third hadthe pouch containing epinephrine taken as a prank. 2 Families and schools must work together to educatethe anaphylactic child’s peers and to convey the message that teasing and bullying are unacceptable andcarry consequences.Parents of anaphylactic children have formed support groups in most Canadian cities, and national andprovincial organizations provide support and information to help families adjust to the challenges facingchildren with anaphylaxis.Interpreting food labelsAnaphylactics must become ingredient detectives. The layperson may not realize that terms like casein,livetin or hydrolysed vegetable protein may indicate the presence of milk, eggs, or peanuts respectively,but families of anaphylactic children must learn these and other codes that indicate the presence of potentiallydeadly allergens. They must be particularly aware of “component ingredients” (i.e., unlabelled ingredientswithin labelled ingredients).Labelling regulations currently allow manufacturers to use the term “may contain” to indicate the possiblepresence of ingredients; however, because the use of this phrase is not legislated, both its use and meaning areinconsistent. While “may contain” labels protect the manufacturer from possible legal action, they limit the foodsthat seriously allergic individuals can consume with confidence. In an effort to strengthen Canada’s labellingregulations, a working group, including representatives of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), theHealth Protection Branch, Health Canada, and a practicing allergist have recommended that foods known tocause severe adverse reactions in hypersensitive individuals should be labelled on pre-packaged foods. 3The recent decision of Nestlé Canada Inc. to maintain its peanut/nut free production line — after an earlierannouncement of closure met with widespread criticism from the public — is an indication of the growingawareness and concern about cross-contamination and hidden ingredients in food products.The anaphylactic teenagerAs students enter the teen years, they become bolder, more experimental, less willing to follow the rules,and more likely to move away from familiar places and routines. Adolescents, especially adolescentmales, perceive themselves as invincible. They are not. While young children with life-threatening allergies aremost at risk of accidental exposure, many allergists believe that teenagers, because of their newindependence, are at greater risk of fatal reactions. Of the 32 fatalities reported in a recent study, more thanhalf were adolescents.4 Eating out with friends is a major social component in the life of an adolescent;however, eating what everyone else is eating can have serious consequences.Both parents and the school must be cautious about letting down their guard; at the same time, theymust respect the teen’s need to move beyond the controlled environment of early and middle childhood.These years bring additional stress to the families of anaphylactic students. Fanny packs with auto-injectorsare no longer acceptable attire; auto-injectors in jeans pockets are too conspicuous; going off with friends foran evening increases the risk of accidental exposure; the fear of being labelled “different” or “weird” may meanfewer people are aware of the possibility of a dangerous reaction; even symptoms themselves may be ignoredbecause the adolescent fears becoming the centre of attention.22
Anaphylaxis:A Handbook for School BoardsSome teenagers report that the support and understanding of friends makes their allergies easier tomanage during these years. Those who have lived with anaphylaxis through their elementary school yearshave usually accepted their limitations and risks and make the adjustment to secondary school with fewdifficulties. On the other hand, those who have been well-protected by parents and schools are sometimesinclined to let down their guard because they do not remember experiencing a reaction and begin to questionwhether they are still allergic.Teens who have been diagnosed recently with a life-threatening allergy have more difficultyacknowledging the seriousness of their condition and the need to make changes in their lives.All adults who live and work with anaphylactic teens need to be aware of their struggle to balance agrowing need for independence with a degree of caution that is foreign to most youth.23
Page 1 and 2: Anaphylaxis:A Handbook for School B
Page 3: Table of ContentsOverview . . . . .
Page 6 and 7: Canadian School Boards AssociationH
Page 8 and 9: Canadian School Boards AssociationW
Page 11 and 12: IntroductionThe Canadian School Boa
Page 13 and 14: Anaphlaxis - What Is It?Anaphylaxis
Page 17: Anaphylaxis:A Handbook for School B
Page 20 and 21: Canadian School Boards Associations
Page 22 and 23: Canadian School Boards AssociationR
Page 24 and 25: Canadian School Boards AssociationC
Page 29 and 30: Developing Board PolicySchool board
Page 31 and 32: Elements of Board PoliciesSchool bo
Page 35 and 36: - having the teacher telephone the
Page 41 and 42: Division of ResponsibilitiesIn a sc
Page 43 and 44: Responsibilities of the classroom t
Page 45 and 46: EndnotesOverview1Ham Pong, A. (2001
Page 47 and 48: Appendices43
Page 51 and 52: Appendix A-3Anaphylaxis:A Handbook
Page 57 and 58: Appendix BFood Allergy FactsAnaphyl
Page 59 and 60: Appendix C - 1Anaphylaxis:A Handboo
Page 61 and 62: Appendix C - 3Anaphylaxis:A Handboo
Page 63 and 64: Appendix DIAllergy AlertSample News
Page 65 and 66: Appendix FAnaphylaxis:A Handbook fo
Page 67 and 68: Appendix G - 2Anaphylaxis:A Handboo
Page 71 and 72: Appendix IAnaphylaxis:A Handbook fo
Page 73 and 74: Appendix JEducational Materials for

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