Death of a public figure causing HA

[seven_swans 3]

Hi all,

Rachel Held Evans died today. She was only 37, and maybe she's not that famous, but I just saw it. Since then, I've been really having a hard time focusing; all of my thoughts are going to the series of events that led to her death:

She got the flu (common enough thing)

and a UTI (also common enough)

and went to the hospital (not as common, but OK)

and got antibiotics (very common)

and had a severe allergic reaction (rare, but not that rare)

and had seizures/brain swelling, ultimately they put her into an induced coma but it didn't help.

 

I'm already nervous about antibiotics (allergic to penicillin as a child, I still say I am today because I don't want to risk it) and the flu, since they're both common. I had a zit that burst and I cleaned it as best I could, but now I'm afraid that it will get infected and I'll need antibiotics, contributing to the above issues that Rachel went through.

[bin_tenn 1252]

Nope. Lots and lots of nope. This must be extremely rare, but unfortunately her body just could not handle all that was happening. No idea who she is, but that's very unfortunate for her and her loved ones. If you're allergic to penicillin, don't take it. But there are tons of other antibiotics available. Many people are allergic to one or more, so they just take a different one when necessary and they're fine. And you will be fine.

[seven_swans 3]

Very sad. In fact, she lived in Nashville. Maybe I don't know that I'm allergic to a particular antibiotic until it's too late? Etc.

[bin_tenn 1252]

That's classic anxiety thinking. If we always lived fearing those types of what ifs, we would never go anywhere, see anyone, do anything, eat, drink, etc. Everything has some sort of risk. Everything.

WeirdI've never heard the name, I've lived outside of Nashville practically all my life. 🤷‍♂️

[Nutmegbella 91]

Maybe when you get into a situation where you are talking to a professional about taking an antibiotic you can voice you concerns. Until then there’s no need to worry. If say you aren’t actually on them. Maybe all you’ll need is a topical ointment?

i have a hard time accepting things because I get stuck on the stories I read about. That rare one percent chance of something happening. I have to really allow myself to really see it as a whole, that was the individuals outcome to them and i am different from them. You know later they will probably find out she had a genetic condition that was  set off by her reaction to the penicillin. I had a reaction once to it, and i was given a different kind of antibiotic. and that was it. I was afraid to take it because I felt like I would get anaphylactic reaction from it. Something back then my child’s doctors drilled into me to look out for to be careful for. Instead it made me a hypo for it.

[mollyfin 366]

Oh no!  I hadn't heard she died.  That's such a shame; she seemed like a good person, and so young.   

[seven_swans 3]

I'm really worrying about my cut/zit... I just can't stop thinking about how it's going to get infected. I keep looking in the mirror and it seems to be a little redder further "down" my face, too.. I keep looking up "how to tell if a cut/zit is infected" and it inevitably leads to MRSA talk.

(Gross talk ahead)

When I took off the bandaid, there was some dried blood and also some yellowish stuff. I'm afraid it's infection...

[bin_tenn 1252]

1 hour ago, seven_swans said:

I'm really worrying about my cut/zit... I just can't stop thinking about how it's going to get infected. I keep looking in the mirror and it seems to be a little redder further "down" my face, too.. I keep looking up "how to tell if a cut/zit is infected" and it inevitably leads to MRSA talk.

(Gross talk ahead)

When I took off the bandaid, there was some dried blood and also some yellowish stuff. I'm afraid it's infection...

Normal, IMO. If you're concerned, see your doc. He/she is the best resource for confirmation/diagnosis as well as treatment.

[MARC 431]

Many years ago I had a reaction to Amoxicillin. My hands and below my waist (LOL) began to itch badly and got red. I stopped taking the medication and told my doctor and he put me on another antibiotic. He said no more Amoxicillin for you. I had taken it in the past without any problems. 

[Iugrad91 501]

The yellowish stuff is white blood cells and plasma that is there to help fight off any bacteria that might be around. It’s totally normal. 

[AndrewF 37]

If all these other comments weren't helpful enough, and they actually should be all you need, then go with the "statistician on an airplane" method --  Having just had this one-in-a-zillion thing happen to someone you know of, what are the chances it will happen TWICE, and the other person will be...YOU?

One in a zillion-squared!  Fuhgedaboutit!