Posts Tagged ‘911’

What is Anaphylactic shock?

Anaphylaxis is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction to a chemical that has become an allergen. After being exposed to a substance such as bee sting venom, the person’s immune system becomes sensitized to it. It is estimated that more than 400 people die each year in the U.S. from bee stings.  This reaction can lead to difficulty breathing and shock ultimately leading to death.

•  A single bee sting, for example, may not cause an allergic reaction the first time.
•  Another bee sting may produce a sudden, severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock.

Experts say that between 1% to 15% of the US population is at risk of having an anaphylactic reaction if exposed to at least one allergen – they add that these figures vary according to various definitions of a reaction. Approximately 1% of those with anaphylaxis may consequently die.

Only a very limited portion of the population (one or two out of 1000) is allergic or hypersensitive to bee or wasp stings. The average person can safely tolerate 10 stings per pound of body weight. This means that although 500 stings could kill a child, the average adult could withstand more than 1100 stings.

If you are unsure – call 911 immediately or Poison Control 1-888-222-1222 for more information.

Each of us remembers certain things that are indelibly etched into our minds based on the events that each of us witness or endure. I can exactly tell you where I was when JFK was shot and killed in 1963 (1st grade), when the Challenger exploded 1986 (I was watching from my home in Florida) and the day that terrorist blew up the Twin Towers 2001 in NYC (I was at home in Arizona). As humans the world round reacted to these events and many others we are all brought to the same thoughts of WHY did this happen? At a very young age men of stature were killed and I don’t think I was old enough to comprehend all the ramifications of their loss. Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy in 1968,  I wasn’t around when others events trans-folded like the death of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948 or the Arch Duke Ferdinand in 1914.

I will “Never Forget” waking up on that morning and flipping the TV on to find this event unfolding right before my eyes and the world’s. As I watched in amazement and then complete terror as that 2nd plane went into the tower and then the crashing of both towers and the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA. I was hoping and praying that most got out of the buildings! I have been struck on occasion to tear up and immediately my mind goes back to those events – Oklahoma City Memorial (those little chairs brought me to tears along with those little keepsakes within the plexiglas inside) and the Hiroshima Peace Park in Hiroshima, Japan (there is a column that has a person’s image etched into it that was created as they sat next to that column and the bomb exploded).

My hope is that we learn from these events, the world is a small place and we all need to get along in Peace, God Bless all who gaves their lives and to the families that must endure without their love ones. “We will Never Forget”

Valley Dogs Killed By Bees – Phoenix News Story – KPHO Phoenix

Dr. Oz, you know the guy from TV – gives his take on the deadliest spider bites. Read the entire article here:

He talks about symptoms, what to do if you see one and how to keep them away. Good Information. Here is an article that appeared from England talking about spiders traveling – read it here:

Bee Calls are up in Phoenix by Michael Ferraresi – Mar. 22, 2010 01:10 PM The Arizona Republic, video by Channel 12 http://www.azcentral.com

5 GREAT BEE SAFETY TIPS from Phoenix Fire Department
1 Check your property regularly for bees, which tend to nest in places like animal burrows, water-meter boxes, overturned flower pots and awnings.
2 Keep pets and children indoors or under close watch when using weed-cutters, hedge clippers, power mowers and other devices that might agitate bees. Many attacks happen during noisy yard work or when crews stumble upon hidden hives.
3 Watch your trees. After laying its eggs and hatching a swarm, the queen bee can attract thousands of her minions to the spot where she rests.
4 Let the experts handle it. Removing a hive is dangerous. Multiple bee stings can be painful or lead to a hospital visit. Experts also warn against destroying bees unnecessarily, since they pollinate crops and add to an estimated $10 billion in value to 90 types of crops in the U.S.
5 If you spot a hive, avoid excessive motion. Bees are more likely to aggressively react to an object in motion than one that’s stationary.
If you’re attacked
• Run as fast as you can. Try to avoid flailing or swinging your arms, since the added motion could make the bees more aggressive.
• Cover your head and eyes, but avoid slowing your escape.
• Call the Fire Department only if medical services are needed, or if you have an allergic reaction to the stings.
How to treat stings
• Bee stingers can be removed by gently scraping against them with your fingernail, a credit card or a knife. Be careful not to squeeze the stinger. Pressing it deeper into the skin could release additional venom.
• Use a cold compress to relive pain and swelling, but avoid applying ice directly to the area.
• Call 911 if you suffer any difficulty breathing. Call a doctor if symptoms of an allergic reaction persist beyond a day or two.

Source: Phoenix Fire Department.