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Death of New Jersey man tick-borne meat allergyaccording to researchers at UVAHealth in Virginia.
The 47-year-old unidentified man reportedly died four hours after the accident last summer. eat a hamburger — just two weeks after a similar episode triggered by steak.
A UVAHealth press release details a summer episode in which a man experienced severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting after eating a steak.
Young lawyer dies after suffering fatal allergic reaction during routine medical check-up
The incident was initially reported as a “sudden unexplained death,” but UVA Health’s Thomas Platts-Mills, M.D., determined the man had suffered a potentially fatal allergic reaction.
The study results were published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.
For the first time, a New Jersey man’s death has been linked to a tick-borne meat allergy, according to researchers at UVAHealth in Virginia. (St. Petersburg)
Allergies are Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) The condition, also known as “red meat allergy” or “tick bite meat allergy,” is caused by the bite of the Lone Star tick, which is primarily found in the southeastern and eastern states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A tick’s saliva contains a sugar molecule called alpha-gal, which is injected into the body during the bite. This causes allergies to certain types of things. red meat (primarily pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, or venison), or products made from mammals (including cheese, milk, other dairy products, and gelatin).
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Eating a food that contains an allergen can cause severe allergic symptoms within a few hours, but sometimes the reaction is only mild.
Researchers say symptoms such as rash, nausea and vomiting can occur after eating beef, pork and lamb. Some people may experience Itchy or scaly skin;swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and throat. You may also experience wheezing and shortness of breath, according to the Mayo Clinic.
This allergy, alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), also known as “red meat allergy” or “tick bite meat allergy,” is caused by the bite of the Lone Star tick. (St. Petersburg)
Fatal anaphylaxis has been cited as a rare risk in severe cases, but this is the first time a New Jersey man’s death has been attributed to an allergy.
According to Platts-Mills, other factors that may have contributed to his harsh reaction include: the beer he drank About his burgers, exposure to ragweed pollen, and recent exercise.
“The important information for the public is, firstly, that severe abdominal pain that occurs three to five hours after eating beef, pork or lamb should be investigated as a possibility of anaphylaxis; and secondly, tick bite “Mite larvae, which itch for more than a week and are often called chiggers, can induce or increase sensitization to mammalian meat,” Platts Mills, former director of UVA Health’s Division of Asthma, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, said in a statement.
“On the other hand, most people with mild to moderate hives can control their symptoms with a good diet.”
A tick’s saliva contains a sugar molecule called alpha-gal, which is injected into the body during the bite. This causes allergies to certain types of red meat. (St. Petersburg)
Diagnosis of AGS requires antibody testing and laboratory tests. Many patients face a long road to diagnosis, taking an average of seven years, said Dr. Johanna Salzer, a CDC epidemiologist and author of the 2023 report on AGS.
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“And in order to receive a diagnosis, the following conditions must be met.” Access to an allergist” Sulzer previously told Fox News Digital. “For many people, there are barriers to accessing that level of care.”
Once a person is diagnosed with AGS, they may continue to have the condition for the rest of their lives.
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“However, for some people, removing foods from their diet that can reactivate alpha-gal syndrome may cause antibody levels to decline over time,” the experts said.
There is currently no treatment or cure for AGS, but doctors can help patients manage their symptoms.
Eating a food that contains an allergen can cause severe allergic symptoms within a few hours, but sometimes the reaction is only mild. (St. Petersburg)
“There are various things. [that] Healthcare professionals can take steps to alleviate symptoms depending on the patient’s individual response,” Sulzer said.
“Those who have a more severe reaction will be given an EpiPen just in case. anaphylactic shock. ”
prevention tips
To prevent tick bites, Dr. Sulzer recommends applying an EPA-approved insect repellent (one containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), paramenthanediol (PMD), or 2-undecanone) whenever you enter areas where tick bites are likely.
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Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks and avoiding grassy, brushy, and wooded areas can also help prevent bites.
“If you return from an area known to have ticks, be sure to shower and do a thorough exam,” Sulzer advised.
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Platts Mills urged doctors and patients living in areas where Lone Star ticks are common to be aware of the risks.
“More specifically, if unexpected serious symptoms occur, abdominal pain “If symptoms occur several hours after eating mammalian meat, possible sensitization to the oligosaccharide alpha-gal should be investigated,” he added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to researchers for comment.
