What immediate treatment is essential for anaphylaxis-induced respiratory distress?

The immediate treatment essential for anaphylaxis-induced respiratory distress is the administration of epinephrine. Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause rapid swelling of the airways, leading to respiratory distress. Epinephrine acts quickly to relax bronchial smooth muscle, reduce airway swelling, and improve airflow to the lungs. It also increases blood pressure and decreases vascular permeability, addressing the systemic consequences of anaphylaxis.

While oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and antihistamines may be useful in the overall management of anaphylaxis, they are not the immediate priority. Oxygen therapy is supportive and may be needed if the patient is hypoxic, while intravenous fluids can help combat hypotension, but neither addresses the underlying cause of the respiratory distress as effectively as epinephrine does. Antihistamines, although they can help with itching and hives, do not relieve respiratory distress immediately and should not replace epinephrine as first-line treatment in anaphylactic reactions.