logo
Login Subscribe
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Google Play App Store
Hot, humid weather: A time to prevent tick bites and alpha-gal syndrome
commentary, Public Records
August 9, 2023
Hot, humid weather: A time to prevent tick bites and alpha-gal syndrome
By JANIS RISLEY FCS EXT. ED.,

Summer in Oklahoma is hot and humid – the type of weather that ticks thrive in. Prot ecting against tick bites is imp o r t a nt b e c aus e they can transmit numerous diseases. In the United States, one disease, called alpha-gal syndrome, is believed to be triggered by a Lone Star tick bite. In the United States, most cases of alpha-gal syndrome are in the South, East, and Central United States including Oklahoma.

Alpha-gal syndrome is a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to alphagal. Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule found in most mammals including mammalian meat and products made from mammals, but it is not found in humans.

Alpha-gal syndrome can occur after a tick, which previously fed on a mammal, bites a human. After feeding on a mammal, the tick’s saliva can contain alphagal which it can transfer to a human’s blood. This can trigger an immune response and cause an allergic reaction because the human body responds as though alphagal is harmful.

Alpha-gal syndrome symptoms can include skin reactions such as hives or an itchy rash; gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or sever stomach pain; respiratory reactions such as cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing; drop in blood pressure; swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eye lids; and dizziness or faintness. Alpha-gal syndrome symptoms can differ from personto- person and can range from mild to severe.

For people who develop alpha-gal syndrome, symptoms may occur anywhere from 2 to 6 hours after they eat mammalian meat or other products containing alpha-gal.

Alpha-gal syndrome should be managed under the care of an allergist or healthcare provider. The main diagnostic test for alphagal syndrome is a blood test looking for specific antibodies to alpha-gal.

Many foods and products contain alphagal. Most healthcare providers recommend people with alpha-gal syndrome avoid eating mammalian meat such as beef, pork, lamb, venison, and rabbit. Depending on a persons’ sensitivity and severity of allergic reactions, people may also be recommended to avoid other foods and ingredients which may contain alpha-gal such as milk, milk-products, beef broth and gelatin. Although very rare, some people with severe sensitivity may react to ingredients in certain vaccines or medications, such as medications in a gelatin capsule.

The best way to prevent alpha-gal syndrome is to prevent tick bites. People who have alphagal syndrome also need to prevent tick bites because additional tick bites may maintain or reactivate allergic reactions to alpha-gal. There is emerging evidence that some people may be able safely reintroduce foods containing alphagal after long periods of avoiding alpha-gal and tick bites under medical supervision.

Read more about alpha-gal syndrome, products that may contain alpha-gal, and steps you can take to prevent tick bites at the CDC website.

Fire won’t stop the faith: Church continues rebuilding
Main, news...
Fire won’t stop the faith: Church continues rebuilding
By ALLY TROTTER NEWS INTERN 
July 16, 2025
One month after fire swept through the sanctuary of Vian Assembly of God, the church is rising from the ashes, determined to rebuild and continue its mission. Pastor John Bennett said he was out of to...
this is a test
Local cowboy representing state in World finals
Main, news...
Local cowboy representing state in World finals
July 16, 2025
Outstanding Sequoyah county cowboy Charles Lucas will be representing Oklahoma in the Wrangler Bull Riding world finals in Abilene Texas, July 28 through August 2. Charles is a sophomore at Vian High ...
this is a test
Gore Police leadership restructured in meeting
Main, news...
Gore Police leadership restructured in meeting
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
July 16, 2025
In a swift but significant decision during a special meeting on July 7, the Gore Board of Trustees approved a leadership change within the Gore Police Department. The meeting, called to order at 6 p.m...
this is a test
Main, news...
AG seeks deal to protect watershed
July 16, 2025
CLIFTON ADCOCK, THE FRONTIER, SPECIAL TO THE NEWS After a years-long legal battle with some of the world’s largest poultry producers over pollutants in one of Oklahoma’s most important waterways, the ...
this is a test
news
Cherokee Nation 2025 General Election
July 16, 2025
• July 19, 22, 23, 24 — Early Walk-In Voting; Absentee Drop Box • July 26 — Run Off Election
this is a test
news
Sallisaw man being held on $40,000 bond
By JERRY FINK SPECIAL TO THE NEWS 
July 16, 2025
Ryan T. Dick, 52, of Sallisaw, is being held in the McIntosh County Jail pending his preliminary hearing on charges related to indecent photographs and videos sent to a former girlfriend and her mothe...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
news
Pritchett pleads guilty to illegally possessing firearms, ammunition
July 16, 2025
A Tahlequah resident has pleaded guilty to federal charges of illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced this week. Cody L....
this is a test
news
Butler sentenced to probation for possessing stolen rifle
July 16, 2025
A Stilwell resident with ties to Sequoyah County has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to possessing a stolen firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District ...
this is a test
news
Oklahoma health care among worst in nation
By OKLAHOMA VOICE 
July 16, 2025
EMMA MURPHY Oklahoma ranked 49th in the nation for its state health care system, according to a report released last week. The Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation supporting independent health car...
this is a test
Let’s Go Forth Proclaiming Jesus Christ!
commentary
Let’s Go Forth Proclaiming Jesus Christ!
By Shirley R. Watts 
July 16, 2025
Jesus said: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have command...
this is a test
Alive in Christ
commentary
Alive in Christ
By Pastor Michael Martin 
July 16, 2025
Colossians 2:6-7 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanks...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

VIAN TENKILLER NEWS
Address: 603 W. Schley Vian, Oklahoma
Phone:+1 918-773-8000

news@bigbasinllc.com

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Vian Tenkiller News

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy