Health
January 1, Life-Threatening Illness On the Rise — and Doctors Don’t Know About It
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Triggered by a Lone Star tick’s bite, a seldom-recognized, life-threatening food allergy known as Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), is reportedly affecting an increasing number of people across the U.S., according to a recent warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This unique allergy, also referred to as the “red-meat allergy” or the “tick bite meat allergy,” has been a point of focus in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The Lone Star tick, predominantly found in Southeastern and Eastern states, carries the sugar molecule alpha-gal in its saliva, which, when injected into the body during a bite, can incite allergies to certain kinds of red meat (primarily pork, beef, rabbit, lamb or venison) or products derived from mammals (such as cheese, milk, other dairy products and gelatin).
The affected individuals might experience serious allergy symptoms within a few hours of eating any foods containing these allergens.
Dr. Johanna Salzer, a CDC epidemiologist and a senior author of the report, reveals that awareness of AGS within the CDC only dates back to 2008.
“We have seen an annual increase in the numbers of suspected Alpha-Gal Syndrome cases between 2010 and 2022,” Salzer shared with Fox News Digital.
The report shows that a significant 30% of 300,000 tests conducted between 2017 and 2021 were positive for AGS.
The CDC has officially recorded over 110,000 suspected cases. Yet, it is believed that the actual count could be around 450,000 people.
This discrepancy stems from a likely underdiagnosis as many patients are reluctant to get tested and a considerable number of doctors remain oblivious to the condition.
Salzer explained, “Based on our survey of 1,500 physicians and medical professionals, nearly half of them had never even heard of the syndrome. Another third of them said they have heard of it, but that they have little confidence in their ability to diagnose [it] or manage a patient [with it].”
This syndrome, Salzer reminds us, varies in presentation and geographic locations, emphasizing the importance of physicians being well-informed about this health issue.
The wide range of reactions people experience when suffering from AGS adds complexity to diagnosing and treating it.
Symptoms may include hives, itchy or scaly skin, swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, wheezing or shortness of breath, stomach pain, diarrhea, upset stomach or vomiting, as per the Mayo Clinic’s website.
Furthermore, the same person can exhibit different reactions at different times.
Dr. Scott Commins, a co-author of the CDC reports, also observed patients reporting “middle-of-the-night symptoms” such as hives, itching, and abdominal pain, along with persistent itchiness at the bite site.
Getting a diagnosis of AGS is a lengthy process, requiring antibody testing and a clinical exam.
On average, it takes a patient seven years to get diagnosed.
Accessibility to allergists, necessary for a diagnosis, poses another barrier for many people.
Once diagnosed with AGS, the condition could potentially be lifelong, although some people might experience a drop in antibody levels over time if they eliminate triggering foods from their diet.
Currently, there is no treatment or cure for AGS; however, symptoms can be managed with the help of physicians.
Despite its severity, no fatalities from Alpha-Gal Syndrome have been recorded by the CDC.
The Lone Star tick, suspected to be the primary carrier of Alpha-Gal Syndrome in the U.S., is predominantly found in the Eastern, Southeastern and South-Central states.
Salzer noted, “We’re seeing that the geographic pattern is kind of a contiguous region between the South, the Midwest, and the Mid-Atlantic region, which follows very closely to the Lone Star tick’s established populations.”
Bottom Line
Preventive measures against tick bites, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks, avoiding grassy, brushy and wooded areas, and using EPA-approved insect repellent are recommended.
Salzer also advises conducting a thorough body check after returning from an area known to have ticks.
With this rising health concern, the CDC aims to increase awareness about AGS among physicians and patients.
It’s critical for physicians to accurately evaluate, diagnose and manage their patients and educate them about tick-bite prevention, said Dr. Ann Carpenter, an epidemiologist and the lead author of one of the papers released recently.
As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.
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1PatriotForever
August 5, 2023 at 7:52 pm
Funny how that works: It just so happens to coincide with another direct hit from the demented GovMunt, As theres a deadly Disease coming now from eating RED MEAT, that the Obama Biden admin wants to force bugs and fake meat on you all happening at the same time: Pfft CONVENIENT
1PatriotForever
August 5, 2023 at 7:53 pm
thats really Funny how that works: It just so happens to coincide with another direct hit from the demented GovMunt, As theres a deadly Disease coming now from eating RED MEAT, that the Obama Biden admin wants to force bugs and fake meat on you all happening at the same time: Pfft CONVENIENT
KC
August 5, 2023 at 8:05 pm
Actually it has been around for over 30 years that I know of. My niece was bitten by a tick and contracted it. Thing is the ticks were infected by government studies where a few got loose and it seems they are spreading. It did derive from government studies as did Covid and several other diseases.
captain blasto
August 5, 2023 at 10:23 pm
Let’s get a few things straight right away. The headline says “doctors” don’t know about it. No at all true. Doctors done CARE about it. A virus has taught that doctors are government controlled scum who will kill anyone on command for money power and prestige. They, in league with the CDC, FDA AND the CCP, did it with untested shots, suppression of effective anti-viral treatments, treatments they KNEW worked, and still to this day, will violently attack anyone who speaks the truth of the efficacy of those treatments. Couple that with those who were murdered directly by ‘doctors” who knowingly used respirators to over pressurize the lungs of those who developed breathing problems due to a virus. They knew they were doing it, and were paid huge bonusses for increasing fatalities. As to this attempt to cause panic, you will note it comes from the CDC. anyone in the CDC who is above GS9 is a liar and/or a one who dedicates his or her few working moments each day to development of ways to kill of innocent people. So, what we have in this CDC warning is either a blatant lie or bragging about an accomplishment of a novel way of killing, the treatment for which, they will suppress.
Susan
August 12, 2023 at 6:58 am
iT IS EASEy… illegals entering the USA are not tested, and a significant portion no doubt have various diseases. Close the boarders and we can ONCE AGAIN, try to eradicate these diseases. !