How my potentially fatal allergy was cured – with 70 wasp stings
Four years ago, Gavan Naden nearly died from anaphylactic shock after being stung by wasps. He became fearful of going outside, but a drastic immunotherapy regime has saved himOver the past three and half years, I ’ve had 70 wasp stings injected into my left arm. Voluntarily. This hasn ’t been an exercise in masochism, but rather to ensure I can go outside without screaming from fear.Every year in the UK, there are between two and nine deaths from anaphylaxis caused by bee and wasp venom. In 2015-16, there were4,451 hospital admissions for anaphylactic shock. In an effort to avoid adding to these statistics again, I ’ve completed an immunotherapy programme. Fingers crossed “the cure” is never put to the test.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Gavan Naden Tags: Health & wellbeing Life and style Science Immunology Medical research Biochemistry and molecular biology Source Type: news
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