Summary
- 13-year-old Hannah Jacobs died last year due to a suspected allergic reaction to a Costa Coffee hot chocolate
- Hannah had severe allergies, including dairy, and her mother informed the barista of this
- Despite receiving an EpipPen and being taken to the hospital, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful
- An inquest into Hannah’s death will begin next week, examining how she died through the testimony of witnesses and experts
- Allergies can provoke serious symptoms, with anaphylaxis being the most dangerous, requiring immediate treatment.
An inquest is set to begin next week into the tragic death of 13-year-old Hannah Jacobs, who passed away after a suspected allergic reaction to a hot chocolate drink sold by Costa Coffee. Hannah, who had severe allergies to dairy, egg, fish, and wheat, informed the barista about her dairy allergy before consuming the drink which tragically led to her passing. Despite efforts from her mother, pharmacy staff, and ambulance crew, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful, and Hannah was declared dead later that day. The inquest aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Hannah’s death and is expected to involve testimonies from witnesses and experts.
Anaphylaxis, also known as anaphylactic shock, is a severe and life-threatening reaction that can occur within minutes after exposure to a trigger such as an allergy. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, and loss of consciousness. Recent cases of fatal allergic reactions, such as the tragic death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, have brought attention to the importance of allergy awareness and the need for improved NHS services. The lack of a national leader for allergies in the UK has sparked calls for better support for those living with allergies to prevent avoidable ill health and death among the population.
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Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine