Pre-reading questions:
- What is an allergy?
- What allergies are you familiar with?
Vocabulary:
- dairy /DAIR-ee/
- symptom /SIMP-tuhm/
- unaware /uhn-uh-WAIR/
- severe /suh-VEER/
- tragedy /TRAJ-i-dee/
[adjective] – used to refer to cows that are used for producing milk, rather than meat, or to foods that are made from milk, such as cream, butter, and cheese
I enjoy having dairy products like yogurt and cheese as part of my breakfast every morning.
[noun] – any feeling of illness or physical or mental change that is caused by a particular disease
A persistent cough is one of the most common symptoms of the flu.
[adjective] – not understanding or realizing something
She was unaware of the surprise party planned by her friends.
[adjective] – causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious
The region experienced a severe drought, leading to water shortages and crop failures.
[noun] – a very sad event or situation, especially one involving death or suffering
The sudden loss of a loved one was a tragedy that deeply affected the entire community.
Article reading:
Diagnosing alpha-gal syndrome is challenging due to its delayed symptoms. A recent CDC study found that 42% of surveyed doctors and nurse practitioners were unaware of the allergy, and another third lacked confidence in managing it. McCullick experienced severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, as late as four to six hours after consuming red meat or dairy. His journey to diagnosis was difficult and involved repeated emergency room visits. Recent testing data suggests that there may have been as many as 450,000 cases of alpha-gal syndrome in the US since 2010. The prevalence of the syndrome is concentrated in states with lone star ticks, particularly in the South, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions. McCullick’s case emphasizes the need for greater awareness about alpha-gal syndrome among healthcare providers and the general public to prevent tragedies and save lives.
Comprehension questions
- What tragic event occurred on August 12, 2021, involving musician Ken McCullick?
- What causes alpha-gal syndrome, and how is it transmitted?
- Why is diagnosing alpha-gal syndrome challenging for medical professionals?
- What were some of the severe reactions experienced by McCullick after consuming red meat or dairy?
- According to recent testing data, in which regions of the United States is alpha-gal syndrome more prevalent, and how many cases have been reported since 2010?
Discussion questions
- Have you ever encountered or known someone with a food allergy that was initially challenging to diagnose? How did the process of finding the correct diagnosis unfold, and what impact did it have on the affected person’s life?
- Have you ever participated in or supported any initiatives or organizations dedicated to raising awareness about lesser-known health conditions or rare diseases? If so, what motivated you to get involved? If not, would you consider supporting such initiatives in the future?
- Were you aware of alpha-gal syndrome and its link to lone star ticks before reading this information?
- What do you think can be done to increase awareness among healthcare providers about alpha-gal syndrome and other lesser-known health conditions?
- Given the increasing prevalence of alpha-gal syndrome and the challenges in diagnosing it, how can public health initiatives and patient advocacy groups work together to raise awareness, promote early detection, and support affected individuals in managing their allergies effectively?