Re: US NRC Press Release re Thyroid Protection/Emergencies-Reply

[Mark Hanlon <MarkH@nch.edu.au>]

A  Specialist Physician in Allergy at our Hospital tells me that the reaction
to X-ray contrast media, KI tablets, and even topical iodine solutions can
result from activation of an anaphylactic pathway.  Even some of the
shellfish reactions could be due to this.     

Anaphylaxis is an quick response to one of a number of different
substances which trigger the anaphylactic pathway.  That pathway
depends on components of the immune system (complement components
and derivatives), but does not involve specific recognition, and in that
sense is not really an "allergic" response, which would involve
recognition by specific antibodies. 

Traditionally, though, the allergists and immunologists have managed the
anaphylactic patients. 



Mark Hanlon,
Radiation Safety Officer,
The New Children's Hospital,
P.O. Box 3515,
PARRAMATTA, NSW, 2124
Australia

Phone   61 2 9845 3324       FAX    61 2 9845 0831

email    markh@nch.edu.au