How my potentially fatal allergy was cured – with 70 wasp stings
by Gavan Naden from on (#2M45W)
Four years ago, Gavan Naden nearly died from anaphylactic shock after being stung by wasps. He became fearful of going outside, but a drastic immunotherapy regime has saved him
Over the past three and half years, I've had 70 wasp stings injected into my left arm. Voluntarily. This hasn't been an exercise in masochism, but rather to ensure I can go outside without screaming from fear.
Every year in the UK, there are between two and nine deaths from anaphylaxis caused by bee and wasp venom. In 2015-16, there were 4,451 hospital admissions for anaphylactic shock. In an effort to avoid adding to these statistics again, I've completed an immunotherapy programme. Fingers crossed "the cure" is never put to the test.
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