After your drug challenge

After your drug challenge

Today (…… / …… / ……), you/your child has had a drug challenge to ………….………………… and received a total dose of ………..……………

You/your child have/has not shown any symptoms of an allergic reaction.  Most allergic reactions occur immediately or within one – two hours after consuming it. This is called a ‘negative challenge’ and we will contact your GP so they can update their records and remove the allergy label.

Return to school:

Your child should have a restful afternoon on the day of the drug challenge where you can continue to observe them.  If they are well, then they can return to school the next day.

Delayed reactions:

Very occasionally, ‘late phase’ reactions can occur. If, in the unlikely event you or your child develops mild/moderate late phase reactions including hives, itchy skin, runny nose, swollen itchy eyes or lips, vomiting or diarrhoea, then administer a dose of antihistamine such as Cetirizine or Chlorphenamine Maleate (Piriton) and contact Riverbank Ward.

If any mild/moderate symptoms are persisting or you or your child is unwell in other ways, you also have open access to Riverbank Children’s Ward (ground floor of Worcester Royal Hospital) for 24 hours following the antibiotic challenge.  This means you can speak to a nurse or doctor for an assessment and advice.

Late phase reactions are rarely serious but are important to document in your/your child`s medical record. Please let us know (using contact details on the next page) if you have any concerns about a reaction when you get home.

If the delayed reaction requires urgent medical attention. Dial 999 asking for an ambulance and say ‘anaphylaxis’.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Difficulty in swallowing, talking or a swollen tongue
• Difficulty in breathing – wheezing, constant coughing, noisy breathing, laboured breathing
• Change in consciousness level – fainting, floppy, unconscious

If you/your child has these symptoms and you have an Adrenaline Auto Injector, then please administer it and call 999.

Strike through if not applicable.

Extended course of antibiotics to be given at home

Some patients are asked to complete a course of antibiotics, as prescribed, at home. This is decided based your history of reaction and would have been discussed with you.  The course at home is usually prescribed for a further three or five days.  We ask you to do this at home because it is important we know that you/your child can tolerate a full course of medication without any late phase reactions.

Details of antibiotics to give at home:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

After the antibiotic course has been completed:

Please contact the allergy team either by text, telephone or email to let them know the outcome of the challenge.  We want to know if they have reacted or if there have been no reactions.  Only after the antibiotic course has been completed do we write to your GP with the outcome. 

If there are no signs of an allergic reaction during the medication course then you/your child is not allergic to the antibiotic and can be prescribed this again in the future, if required.

Contact information:
Riverbank Ward telephone number is: 01905 760588

Allergy Nurse Mobile: 07564 848463 (please leave a message if no answer)

Allergy Team Email: [email protected]

Children’s clinic: 01905 733477

If your symptoms or condition worsens, or if you are concerned about anything, please call your GP, 111, or 999.

Patient Experience
We know that being admitted to hospital can be a difficult and unsettling time for you and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, please do speak with a member of staff on the ward or in the relevant department who will do their best to answer your questions and reassure you. 

Feedback
Feedback is really important and useful to us – it can tell us where we are working well and where improvements can be made. There are lots of ways you can share your experience with us including completing our Friends and Family Test – cards are available and can be posted on all wards, departments and clinics at our hospitals. We value your comments and feedback and thank you for taking the time to share this with us.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
If you have any concerns or questions about your care, we advise you to talk with the nurse in charge or the department manager in the first instance as they are best placed to answer any questions or resolve concerns quickly. If the relevant member of staff is unable to help resolve your concern, you can contact the PALS Team. We offer informal help, advice or support about any aspect of hospital services & experiences.

Our PALS team will liaise with the various departments in our hospitals on your behalf, if you feel unable to do so, to resolve your problems and where appropriate refer to outside help.

If you are still unhappy you can contact the Complaints Department, who can investigate your concerns. You can make a complaint orally, electronically or in writing and we can advise and guide you through the complaints procedure.

How to contact PALS:
Telephone Patient Services: 0300 123 1732 or via email at: [email protected]

Opening times:
The PALS telephone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Please be aware that you may need to leave a voicemail message, but we aim to return your call within one working day.

If you are unable to understand this leaflet, please communicate with a member of staff.  

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