If a child is stung by a hornet and exhibits itching skin, hives, and difficulty breathing, what condition are they likely experiencing?

The child is likely experiencing anaphylactic shock due to the combination of symptoms presented: itching skin, hives, and difficulty breathing. Anaphylactic shock is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur after exposure to allergens such as insect stings. The symptoms arise because the body releases a flood of chemicals in response to the allergen, leading to swelling, difficulty breathing, and other systemic reactions.

Itching skin and hives indicate an allergic response, but the key factor here is the difficulty in breathing, which signals a more critical issue often associated with anaphylaxis. In this condition, the airways can constrict, and swelling can occur, making it hard for the individual to breathe properly, necessitating immediate medical intervention.

In contrast, the other conditions mentioned—minor allergic reaction, normal allergic response, and mild irritation—would not typically involve difficulty breathing to this extent. These are generally characterized by milder symptoms that do not pose an immediate threat to life, distinguishing them clearly from anaphylactic shock.