A MAN narrowly escaped death and suffered multiple organ failure after being stung by a giant honey bee.
Though the 60-year-old was stung by the bee multiple times, it was until two days after the terrifying incident that he started developing a severe response.
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Nobody relishes the idea of being stung by a bee, but it isn’t something to fear unless you’re allergic to their venom.
Most people will experience some pain and itching around the site of the bite, but some may experience a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis that could be life-threatening.
Neither of these scenarios were the the case for a 60-year-old Somalian man who experienced multi-organ failure days after being badly stung by a honeybee.
“Despite the patient suffering numerous stings and receiving a substantial amount of venom, an immediate anaphylactic reaction did not occur,” the team from Mogadishu Somali Turkey Training and Research Hospital wrote in a case report published to Dove Press.
“Instead, a delayed severe response leading to multi-organ failure emerged within 48 hours of the incident.”
The team said this was the first documented instance of multi-organ failure resulting from a sting by a giant honey bee in Somalia.
“The case highlights the potential severity of bee stings, which, while often considered minor, can lead to serious medical complications,” they added.
The unnamed man from a rural area of Somalia was stung multiple times a giant bee during bee during honeybee harvesting but didn’t go to hospital until a week after the incident, due to limited healthcare facilities in his area.
Upon arrival, he said he’d been suffering from shortness of breath and oliguria – not being able to pee properly – for six days.
Medics noted that he had multiple red marks across this body, as well as swelling, puffy eyes and difficulty breathing.
His pulse, blood pressure and blood sugar levels were also higher than normal, while his body temperature slightly below average.
Blood tests indicted the 60-year-old had acute liver and kidney injury.
Meanwhile, a chest X-ray showed that he had bilateral pulmonary edema, where too much fluid had accumulated in both his lungs.
And an ECG, a test recording the electrical activity of the heart, also found he was suffering a faster-than-usual heart rhythm.
Doctors started the patient on a “comprehensive” regimen of steroids, antihistamines and intravenous fluids for hydration, determining that he’d suffered from a allergic reaction caused by the bee sting.
“The patient responded positively to the treatment and showed significant improvement,” the medics involved in his care wrote.
“As a result, he was able to be discharged on the seventh day of his admission.
“During follow-up consultations, he continued to do well, indicating a successful recovery from the acute complications that arose following the honeybee sting.”
In the UK, between two and nine deaths due to anaphylaxis from bee or wasp stings are recorded every year, according to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
“Wasp stings in the UK cause twice as many deaths due to anaphylaxis as bee stings,” it added.
Allergy UK says a normal reaction to a bee sting – pain, swelling, redness and itching at the site of the sting – tends to last a few hours.
What’s called a large local reaction, characterised by more pain at the site of the sting and surrounding areas, as well as swelling and itching, can last for a few days.
Meanwhile, a severe allergic reaction can strike rapidly after a sting and can involve the whole body, making you feel suddenly very ill.
You may fee dizzy, nauseated or weak, or experience stomach cramps and diarrhoea.
The reaction can affect your eyes, causing itching around them, as well as coughing, hives and vomiting.
Anaphylaxis is associated with:
- Severe breathing difficulty due to swelling of the tongue and throat
- A drop in blood pressure resulting in faintness, dizziness collapse and loss of consciousness
Reactions may occur in a few minutes, with most severe life threatening reactions occurring within 30 minutes, according to Allergy UK.
This is why it is so important to know the symptoms and call 999 immediately if you or someone sufferers them.
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You should also use an adrenaline pen as soon as possible if you have one at hand.
How to treat bug bites and stings
How to treat bites and stings – according to the NHS:
- Remove sting, tick or hairs if in the skin.
- Wash with soap and water.
- Elevate and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
- Avoid scratching or bursting blisters to reduce infection risk.
- Avoid home remedies such as vinegar.
- Over-the-counter painkillers may ease pain or swelling.
- Speak to your pharmacist about anti-itching cream or antihistamines.
- Contact your GP or 111 if symptoms don’t improve within a few days or are getting worse, you’ve been stung or bitten in your mouth, throat or near your eyes, 10cm or more around the bite becomes red or swollen, you have symptoms of an infection: pus, swelling, fever or flu-like symptoms.
- Dial 999 if you suffer a severe reaction e.g. wheezing or breathing difficulties, swollen face, mouth or throat, feeling or being sick, fast heart rate, dizziness or feeling faint, difficulty swallowing or loss of consciousness.