A teenager with a severe allergy died after his partner ate peanuts before they had sex. The teen began experiencing problems breathing during the act and used an inhaler – which he carried with him at all times.
He collapsed and emergency services were called, but paramedics were unable to find a pulse. He was revived, but died in hospital the following day.
His cause of death was recorded as anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction that causes inflammation of the airways. The case has been described in the journalAllergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology.
Doctors said traces of peanuts were likely contained in the saliva of the boy’s partner, and wereabsorbed through the sensitive skin on his penis.
Doctors said the couple did not kiss before or during having sex.
Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies in the UK. It’s estimated that around 1 in 50 children (about 2%) and 1 in 200 adults (0.5%) have a peanut allergy.
Fatalities from peanut allergies are rare but do occur. On average five to 10 people die each year in the UK due to food-induced anaphylaxis, with peanuts and tree nuts being the most common triggers.
A study found that between 1998 and 2018 , there were less than 200 deaths from all food allergies combined.The risk of death from a severe allergic reaction is estimated at 0.03% per year for someone with a diagnosed food allergy .
While deaths are uncommon, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can be life-threatening, and prompt treatment with epinephrine (adrenaline) is essential. Studies suggest that 0.6% to 1% of all sudden deaths occur during sexual activity.
In the UK, there are around 100,000 sudden cardiac deaths per year, meaning roughly 600–1,000 deaths could be linked to sex. However, many cases go unreported or are difficult to track accurately.