The American Academy of Pediatrician’s evidence-based guidelines endorse the use of cephalosporin antibiotics for patients with reported allergies to penicillin for the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis and acute otitis media. Many physicians, however, remain reluctant to prescribe such agents because of a fear of cross-reactivity between the two drug classes. Although these concerns are understandable, a lack of consistent data regarding exactly what constitutes an initial penicillin-allergic reaction and subsequent cross-sensitivity to cephalosporins may possibly prevent patients from receiving optimal antibiotic therapy.

This topic is one of great importance because true allergic reactions to penicillin can be extremely varied. Allergic responses occurring with a penicillin allergy range from annoying rashes to life-threatening reactions, such as difficulty anaphylaxis.

Common signs and symptoms of penicillin allergy include: