What are symptoms of an allergic reaction to penicillin?

The symptoms associated with an allergic reaction to penicillin primarily manifest as rash, itching, and swelling. These are common signs of a hypersensitivity response, which occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies penicillin as a harmful substance. The rash can range from mild hives to more severe manifestations, while associated itching and localized swelling are also typical.

Fever and chills, while they can occur in some infections for which antibiotics like penicillin are prescribed, are not direct symptoms of an allergic reaction. Similarly, nausea and vomiting are more typical side effects of medications in general rather than signs of an allergy specifically. Shortness of breath and cough can be associated with severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, but rash, itching, and swelling are the hallmark symptoms that distinctly classify the allergic reaction to penicillin. This focus on the more common and recognizable symptoms emphasizes the importance of monitoring for such manifestations when initiating therapy with this antibiotic.