Phrases › Travel Problems › Sto avendo una reazione allergica!

Sto avendo una reazione allergica!

I am having an allergic reaction!

Pronunciation

'Allergica' — al-LER-ji-ca. Stress on the second syllable; soft 'g' before 'i'.

When to use it

Say this urgently to anyone nearby or to medical staff when you are experiencing a severe allergic reaction. This is a medical emergency — call 118.

What it means

'Sto avendo' uses the present progressive — 'stare' + gerund ('avendo'). This construction expresses something happening right now: 'sto mangiando' (I am eating), 'sto correndo' (I am running). The urgency of the phrase is clear from 'reazione allergica' — an emergency term.

Variations

Ho bisogno di adrenalina!

I need adrenaline!

EpiPen: 'ho l'autoiniettore di adrenalina' — crucial phrase.

Ho l'EpiPen, dove posso iniettarmi?

I have an EpiPen, where can I inject?

Self-treatment question.

Chiami il 118 subito!

Call 118 immediately!

Medical emergency number in Italy.

Mini Dialogue

— Sto avendo una reazione allergica! Ho mangiato qualcosa con le nocciole! — Chiamo il 118! Ha con sé l'EpiPen? — Sì, è nella borsa, tasca laterale! — Lo prenda subito, i soccorsi arrivano!

— I am having an allergic reaction! I ate something with hazelnuts! — I'm calling 118! Do you have an EpiPen with you? — Yes, it's in my bag, side pocket! — Use it immediately, help is coming!

Cultural Note

Anaphylaxis (anafilassi) is a life-threatening emergency. EpiPens (autoiniettori di adrenalina) are available in Italy by prescription. When dining out, Italians tend to be very responsive to declared allergies — the law requires menus to list all 14 major allergens. Nutella, widely used in Italian pastries, contains hazelnuts.

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