- College professor Brian McCornack suffered a near-fatal allergic reaction to barbecue meat, believed to be caused by Alpha-gal syndrome from Lone Star ticks.
- Alpha-gal syndrome occurs when a tick’s saliva containing a sugar molecule enters the bloodstream and triggers an immune response to red meats and animal-based products.
- There is no cure for Alpha-gal syndrome, with treatment involving avoiding red meat and animal-derived products.
- Professor McCornack must avoid meats, cheeses, ice cream, and certain medications to prevent severe reactions like itchy hives and shortness of breath.
- Experts warn about the prevalence of Lone Star ticks, which are spreading to new states and causing tick-borne diseases, and emphasize the importance of tick prevention and awareness.
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Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Emergency Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine