School teacher’s near-fatal allergic reaction treated by Anaphylaxis Kitt
Billie-Jo, a mathematics teacher from a prestigious UK boarding school, experienced a near-fatal allergic reaction to an unknown substance and required treatment from three adrenaline pens using the school’s Anaphylaxis Kitt.
This is now the second time one of our Kitts has been used, and the story is a truly eye-opening one. Read Billie’s first-hand account below.
Billie appeared live on Good Morning Britain alongside allergy doctor Professor Adam Fox to discuss her near-fatal experience live in an interview with Susanna Reid & Richard Madeley.
Mathematics teacher and allergy sufferer, Billie-Jo Button, shared how her experience started as soon as she arrived at the school grounds: “I didn’t feel very well coming to school - lightheaded, not quite right. People were trying to have a conversation with me and I couldn’t focus - I could feel the lack of oxygen, and I could hear that the bell went but I noticed that my ears and nose were swelling.”
As her symptoms worsened, Button’s priority was not that of her own safety, but rather that of her students, adding:
“All the year 8 pupils were there around me in the room and I had to get out - if I had dropped on the floor in front of them, they would have gone through some horrific trauma. I rushed to remove myself, and perhaps that made my reaction worse.”
The swift response and preparedness of the school's medical team, led by Nurse Kate Hooper, alongside the presence of the Anaphylaxis Kitt, played a crucial role in managing the situation.
Billie mentioned: “The nurse (Kate) looked at me and said I really needed my Epipen - but I only had one bag with me because I try to spread my pens out to cover all bases. I administered the pen whilst Kate was on the phone to the ambulance. After some time I still wasn’t improving… I could hear my wheeze and the ambulance was saying that they couldn’t get to us for 20 minutes… that’s a long time in an allergy situation. At that point, Kate used a second adrenaline pen, which she got from the Kitt on the wall.”
Billie-Jo, pictured with one of the Anaphylaxis Kitts at Windlesham House, alongside Nurse Kate. Each Kitt contains four adrenaline pens (for all ages) to be used in emergencies, which are provided on a subscription alongside online staff training.
In total, three adrenaline pens were administered to Button, as well as the use of an AED. Button was taken swiftly to hospital once the paramedics arrived and thankfully made a full recovery.
Nurse Kate praised the effectiveness of the Kitt, stating,
"The Kitt was really clear and easy. I’m really pleased that we have it, to be honest. Even though I was shaking and nervous, I had no trouble accessing the medication.”
Professor Adam Fox, a leading London allergist, says: “Anaphylaxis can happen anywhere and often when it is least expected. This means that better awareness of recognising the symptoms and knowing the importance of rapid treatment is key to minimise the risk of bad outcomes. Having additional adrenaline injectors, available for anybody to use is a positive development for schools.”
Windlesham House school installed three Anaphylaxis Kitts to cover its large 65-acre country estate, home to 350 boarding students and over 100 members of staff.
Button praised the school’s availability of resources and care, stating: “I think about some of the schools that I have worked in in the past where they wouldn’t have had all the medical things that were required such as the Kitt, and the outcome probably would have been very different. I'm incredibly grateful.”
She added that the emotional toll such incidents can take on individuals is severe, stating that she has concerns about workplace attitudes and stigmas felt towards those with allergies: "The more people that know about allergies, the better people's lives can be. Experiencing the reaction, in some ways, has highlighted the severity of allergies in school. Some people don’t know how serious it can be. It’s tough to drop into conversations properly without either underplaying it or making people scared. It’s not a choice, I have to be safe."
Headteacher Ben Evans echoed the importance of staff training, as well as stating how scary and eye-opening the situation truly was:
“For me as a Head - I think other Headteachers just wouldn’t assume something like this could ever happen… unless you’ve been through it.
We’re all aware children are allergic, they carry their adrenaline pens and we make sure our schools are ‘nut free’ - but you don’t understand what the worst-case scenarios can be unless you’ve been through it." He continued: “The training is absolutely essential - all the staff have done it - and the Kitt made a very difficult situation much easier to manage.”
Billie sat down for an interview with Zak & James from Kitt Medical after her live TV interview. She talked about how thankful she was for the Kitt’s presence, and how every time she walks past the Kitt installed at Windlesham House School, she now ‘taps’ it both as a thank you and for good luck!
Recent statistics on allergy prevalence underline the urgency of addressing this issue. Anaphylaxis incidents have been on the rise globally, emphasizing the need for comprehensive measures to safeguard individuals in schools and other public spaces.
Simon Williams, CEO of the Anaphylaxis UK charity, said:
‘Today, 44% of British adults suffer from at least one allergy – with numbers expected to rise. Thankfully a life was saved on this occasion because multiple adrenaline pens (AAIs) were to hand. Having these emergency medications accessible is not just essential for pupils but also for teachers and staff who may have allergies.”
A few months ago, one of our Anaphylaxis Kitts was used to treat 14-year-old Ava’s severe allergic reaction at school. Click here to read up on that story.
As incidents of anaphylaxis continue to rise, this incident serves as a poignant reminder that adults, like children, can be susceptible to severe allergic reactions. The school community calls for increased awareness, training, and support for individuals with allergies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all, with greater distribution of Anaphylaxis Kitts needed in schools all across the UK.
Interested in finding out more about our Anaphylaxis Kitt service and how we can help support your school or business? Click the button below.
