Name:   Lifer - Subject:   Stings can be deadly. Date:   6/6/2017 10:35:12 AM

  When I was in college the first time I worked in a hospital emergency room. A 22yo man was brought in by ambulance. He worked for a tree trimming crew. All they could tell EMS was he was in the bucket and slumped down and was unresponsive. On exam a nasty sting was located. His coworkers stated he had been stung about a week earlier and claimed it was the first time ever. He had a mild reaction but was treated on site with the first aide kit. The doctor explained that the first sting had created antibodies or antigens, I can't remember which, that made the second sting fatal. He went into anaphylaxic shock almost immediately. EMS found no signs of life on arrival but continued the CPR started by his coworkers. He was worked on for quite a while in the ER because he was so young nobody wanted to "call it". I can't remember if epipens were even available at the time but they certainly weren't as prevalent as today.

  I post this horrible story to let folks know that if you have an extraordinary reaction to a sting from bee, wasp hornet or any other stinging insect please consult a doctor. It could save your life. I understand this was an extreme case, but you could be too and not know it.