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More hospital care needed for youth with insect stings

Respiratory Care Weekly, May 17, 2006

Children who suffer moderate to severe allergic reactions to insect stings, such as those from honey bees and yellow jackets, don't always go to a hospital for treatment, according to the May Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. In a recent survey, honey bee and yellow jacket stings were the most common-more than half (56.3%) of the children had been stung at least once.

The survey included how 10,000 Israeli children 13 and 14 years old deal with stings. Of the children stung, 11.5% had a large, local reaction that lasted several days, while 6.5% had a mild systemic reaction with hives or angioedema (swelling). A smaller percentage, 2.5%, reported a moderate-to-severe systemic reaction with difficulty breathing, asthma attack, abdominal pain, or loss of consciousness.

Of those suffering the moderate to severe reactions, only 14.5% went to a hospital, contrary to guidelines recommending anyone with such symptoms remain at a hospital 24 hours for observation in case the symptoms worsen and possibly become life-threatening, according to the Journal.

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