Eli5: What is the body trying to do when it goes into anaphylactic shock?

Question

Is it trying to fix itself by closing the airways?….Or is it just a reaction and not a defense.

In: 81

Answer 1

Your body is trying to kill the allergen because it mistakenly recognizes it as a threat. Your body is trying to get rid of the thing at all costs, even if it kills you and swelling up is one of your body’s defenses. It’s basically like trying to kill a fly with a nuclear bomb instead of a fly swatter. Your immune system misjudges how much of a threat it is and takes extreme measures