What is the process if I need to receive allergy injections?
To assure the best quality of care and safety, we require that the following guidelines be adhered to in order to receive allergy injections at E&H Health Center.
We will administer allergy injections with written instructions from your private allergist. Contact information for your allergist should be on the instructions.
- Instructions from your allergist must include: contents of the serum, concentration of the serum, dose of the serum, frequency of the injection, late injection guidelines, expiration date and graduation of increase in dosage. This is required with each new vial, even if the vial contains the same serum in the same concentration.
- Allergy injections may be given Monday through Friday during preferred times. Please note that, for your safety, the doctor or nurse practitioner must be present during your visit.
- Allergy injections will not be given if you are ill. Please inform the nurse if you are not feeling well.
- There is always a possibility of a severe reaction from your injection. Therefore, you are required to wait for a minimum of 10 minutes, maximum of 30 minutes in the waiting room after receiving an injection.
- Although most severe reactions from allergy injections occur within a short time of the injection, it is still possible to have a reaction for several hours after the injection. Please discuss what to do with your allergist if a general reaction does occur after you leave the Health Center
- Seek emergency medical help if a reaction does occur. If you have a serious reaction, a follow up appointment with your allergist is necessary before continuing your allergy injections at the Health Center.
- Any problem experienced after leaving the Health Center must be reported to the nurse prior to your next dose to prevent a serious reaction.
- If you feel that you are having an allergic reaction, it is always best to first seek emergency help by dialing “911” or “6222” (276-944-6222) for campus police.
- An untreated general allergic reaction can be dangerous. If you feel different in any way, immediately tell the RN who gave you the shot. Common signs and symptoms of a severe reaction to allergy injections include:
- Itching, especially on your palms, scalp, or feet.
- Breaking out in hives.
- Swelling of your eyelids, face, or fingers.
- Tightness in your throat.
- Wheezing or trouble breathing.
- A feeling of warmth, flushing, dizziness, or faintness.
- Sudden nausea, abdominal pain, and/or vomiting.
- Unexpected hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, nasal stuffiness, and itchy eyes, nose, or throat.
- Please note that exercise or strenuous activity increase your chances of having allergic reaction and should be avoided immediately before and 3 hours after each allergy injection.
- Some other measures to help prevent a serious emergency may include carrying an epinephrine or Epi-pen with you on the day of the injection or telling a close associate that you have had allergy injection that day.
- Patients are responsible for obtaining more allergy serum and instructions when supplies are low. The shipping address for FedEx and UPS is: Emory and Henry College Health Center, 12180 Alder Street, Meadowview, VA 24361. US Postal Service mail should be addressed to: Emory & Henry College Health Center, PO Box 947, WB 16, Emory, VA 24327
- Patients are responsible for picking up allergy serum and arranging for injections while away from Emory. Any serum left at the Health Center will be discarded after its expiration date.
April 2020