What is the most common cause of anaphylaxis?

• A. Bee sting
• B. Penicillin
• C. Latex
• D. Aspirin

Answer: (B)

Anaphylaxis is a rapid, life-threatening allergic reaction that often occurs after prior sensitization to a trigger. Among the common triggers, penicillin stands out as the most frequent cause because antibiotics are widely prescribed and many people develop IgE-mediated sensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotics. When sensitized, exposure to penicillin can trigger a surge of mediators like histamine that cause widespread vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, bronchospasm, and airway edema. While bee stings, latex, and aspirin can provoke anaphylaxis, they occur less often overall across the general population, making penicillin the more common culprit in many clinical scenarios. In practice, recognizing a sudden, systemic allergic reaction and treating with prompt epinephrine is essential.