- Joined
- Nov 4, 2009
- Messages
- 3,900
- Reaction score
- 1,610
- Location
- Devon/South Hams
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 5
To get back to OP.
Most will show an allergic reaction to bee stings to some degree or another. Actual anaphylactic shock is uncommon. Get stung in the presence of others. Chances are it will hurt and swell and itch a bit, but will be OK. I react very little these days.
Best info I could find from Medscape (US) - refers to hymenoptera in general
United States
Ants sting 9.3 million people each year. Other Hymenoptera species account for more than 1 million stings annually. Anaphylaxis secondary to Hymenoptera envenomation affects roughly 3% of the general population.[2] Systemic reactions leading to life-threatening manifestations occurs in approximately 0.4-0.8% of children and 3% of adult patients.[3]
Mortality/Morbidity
Large local reactions occur in 17-56% of those stung. In one study, 1-2% experienced a generalized reaction, and 5% sought medical care.
Individuals with large local reactions have a 5-10% risk of subsequent development of a severe systemic reaction if re-stung.[3]
An updated review of animal-related deaths in 2005 determined that Hymenoptera stings accounted for 533 deaths in the United States from 1991-2001. This number represented 70.2% of all venomous animal-related fatalities in the United States during this period.[4]
In 1989, 32 deaths were reported from fire ant stings in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Georgia.[5]
Wasps and bees cause 30-120 deaths yearly in the United States.
Race
No race predilection exists.
Sex
Hymenoptera stings of all types are more common in males than in females, probably because of more frequent exposure.
Age
Although most deaths from toxic reactions occur at extremes of age, frequency of bites is not age dependent. Peak incidence of death from anaphylaxis is in people aged 35-45 years.
Dr Ex
Most will show an allergic reaction to bee stings to some degree or another. Actual anaphylactic shock is uncommon. Get stung in the presence of others. Chances are it will hurt and swell and itch a bit, but will be OK. I react very little these days.
Best info I could find from Medscape (US) - refers to hymenoptera in general
United States
Ants sting 9.3 million people each year. Other Hymenoptera species account for more than 1 million stings annually. Anaphylaxis secondary to Hymenoptera envenomation affects roughly 3% of the general population.[2] Systemic reactions leading to life-threatening manifestations occurs in approximately 0.4-0.8% of children and 3% of adult patients.[3]
Mortality/Morbidity
Large local reactions occur in 17-56% of those stung. In one study, 1-2% experienced a generalized reaction, and 5% sought medical care.
Individuals with large local reactions have a 5-10% risk of subsequent development of a severe systemic reaction if re-stung.[3]
An updated review of animal-related deaths in 2005 determined that Hymenoptera stings accounted for 533 deaths in the United States from 1991-2001. This number represented 70.2% of all venomous animal-related fatalities in the United States during this period.[4]
In 1989, 32 deaths were reported from fire ant stings in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Georgia.[5]
Wasps and bees cause 30-120 deaths yearly in the United States.
Race
No race predilection exists.
Sex
Hymenoptera stings of all types are more common in males than in females, probably because of more frequent exposure.
Age
Although most deaths from toxic reactions occur at extremes of age, frequency of bites is not age dependent. Peak incidence of death from anaphylaxis is in people aged 35-45 years.
Dr Ex
