Anaphylaxis
Revise rapid recognition, airway or breathing symptoms, hypotension, IM adrenaline, repeat dosing, observation, tryptase timing, allergy referral and safety-netting.
MRCGP AKT allergy and immunology revision
Allergy questions test whether you can recognise anaphylaxis early, use adrenaline correctly, avoid unsafe allergy labels and separate food allergy, urticaria and immunodeficiency clues from common mimics.
Quick answer
For AKT allergy and immunology revision, prioritise anaphylaxis, IM adrenaline, tryptase timing, allergy referral, auto-injector counselling, IgE versus non-IgE food allergy, drug allergy documentation, urticaria, angioedema and immunodeficiency red flags.
What to revise first
Adrenaline auto-injectors
Know who needs auto-injectors, why two devices are usually supplied, training points, written action plans, carrying advice and school or workplace safety.
Food allergy
Separate IgE-mediated immediate reactions from non-IgE delayed symptoms, cow's milk protein allergy, eczema or reflux overlap, elimination trials and referral triggers.
Drug allergy
Focus on structured history, timing, rash pattern, anaphylaxis features, safe prescribing, clear allergy record entries and avoiding vague lifelong allergy labels.
Urticaria and angioedema
Cover acute urticaria, chronic urticaria, antihistamine use, angioedema without urticaria, ACE-inhibitor reactions and when symptoms suggest anaphylaxis.
Immunodeficiency clues
Know when recurrent, severe, unusual or persistent infections should prompt investigation or referral, especially with poor growth, chronic diarrhoea or family history.
Red flags to recognise quickly
- Airway swelling, wheeze, stridor, hypoxia, hypotension, collapse or rapidly progressive systemic reaction
- Anaphylaxis in a patient with asthma, food allergy, drug exposure, venom sting or previous severe reaction
- Angioedema affecting tongue, throat or voice, especially with breathing difficulty or ACE-inhibitor exposure
- Food allergy with faltering growth, severe delayed symptoms, multiple food reactions or confirmed IgE allergy with asthma
- Drug reaction with mucosal involvement, blistering, systemic illness, facial swelling or organ involvement
- Recurrent severe infections, unusual organisms, persistent thrush, chronic diarrhoea, poor growth or family history of immunodeficiency
Why allergy questions catch candidates out
The trap is often timing and documentation: missing anaphylaxis because the rash is absent, recording a vague drug allergy without reaction details, or treating food intolerance and immune deficiency clues as ordinary atopy.
AKT allergy and immunology FAQ
Is allergy and immunology high yield for the MRCGP AKT?
Yes. Allergy and clinical immunology is a named RCGP curriculum topic and AKT questions commonly test anaphylaxis, adrenaline auto-injectors, food allergy, drug allergy, urticaria, angioedema and immunodeficiency clues.
What allergy topics should I revise for the AKT?
Prioritise anaphylaxis recognition, IM adrenaline, tryptase timing, allergy referral, adrenaline auto-injector counselling, IgE versus non-IgE food allergy, drug allergy documentation, urticaria, angioedema and immunodeficiency red flags.
How does anaphylaxis come up in AKT questions?
Anaphylaxis questions often test recognising airway, breathing or circulation compromise, choosing IM adrenaline first, repeating adrenaline if needed, arranging observation and referral, and prescribing auto-injectors with training.
What allergy red flags are high yield for the AKT?
Know airway swelling, wheeze, hypotension, collapse, angioedema affecting voice or breathing, severe drug reactions, food allergy with faltering growth or asthma, and recurrent severe infections suggesting immunodeficiency.
Official sources
This is revision guidance, not official RCGP advice. Check current RCGP, NICE CKS and BNF guidance for clinical decisions. Last reviewed June 2026.
October sitting
Oct 26
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days
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