Help me find a mosquito vaccine that doesn't exist
June 5, 2018 8:05 AM Subscribe
10 years ago I traveled to Montenegro in July and was immediately attacked by mosquitoes. I'm allergic. Doctor gave me an injection and I had no allergic reactions for the rest of the summer. Other doctors have never heard of such a thing. What was it?
Mosquito bites for me result in enormous swelling, awful itching and malaise to the point that I can't focus on anything and have to seek medical help (usually a Medrol injection).
There are many repellent-resistant mosquitoes in Montenegro so in less than 24 hours I was shuffled to a doctor. A local friend who accompanied me told me that her mother, also allergic, got a sort of mosquito vaccine every year before summer that was effective for three months. That's also what the doctor gave me.
For the rest of that summer, spent in other environments full of aggressive mosquitoes, I had no allergic reactions to bites and all bumps disappeared overnight. Later, whenever I asked doctors in other countries what medication I'd received in Montenegro (because I'd like it again, duh), everyone denied that such a thing exists. Does this sound familiar to anyone? What is it?
Mosquito bites for me result in enormous swelling, awful itching and malaise to the point that I can't focus on anything and have to seek medical help (usually a Medrol injection).
There are many repellent-resistant mosquitoes in Montenegro so in less than 24 hours I was shuffled to a doctor. A local friend who accompanied me told me that her mother, also allergic, got a sort of mosquito vaccine every year before summer that was effective for three months. That's also what the doctor gave me.
For the rest of that summer, spent in other environments full of aggressive mosquitoes, I had no allergic reactions to bites and all bumps disappeared overnight. Later, whenever I asked doctors in other countries what medication I'd received in Montenegro (because I'd like it again, duh), everyone denied that such a thing exists. Does this sound familiar to anyone? What is it?
Sounds like steroids to me, as well.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 11:28 AM on June 5, 2018
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 11:28 AM on June 5, 2018
my guess would be steroids or a strong anti-histamine.
there is an old alaskan folk remedy of eating a ton of garlic and tomatoes to keep mosquitoes away.
posted by evilmonk at 12:29 PM on June 5, 2018
there is an old alaskan folk remedy of eating a ton of garlic and tomatoes to keep mosquitoes away.
posted by evilmonk at 12:29 PM on June 5, 2018
When I did a summer study abroad in China years ago, I developed a rash on my face, probably from the pollution, as soon as I stepped off the plane. It lasted almost the entire two months I was there, until I visited my aunt in Shanghai after the program was over. She took one look at my face and immediately took me to a clinic where they gave me a shot in the butt that cleared everything up overnight and lasted at least the two or three weeks until I flew home.
I never knew exactly what the injection was and why it lasted so long, I'd assumed it was some sort of steroid, but this is the first time I've heard of long-acting steroid shots. Now I guess I can stop worrying about spontaneously mutating into The Hulk! Thanks Metafilter!
posted by yeahlikethat at 12:41 PM on June 5, 2018 [1 favorite]
I never knew exactly what the injection was and why it lasted so long, I'd assumed it was some sort of steroid, but this is the first time I've heard of long-acting steroid shots. Now I guess I can stop worrying about spontaneously mutating into The Hulk! Thanks Metafilter!
posted by yeahlikethat at 12:41 PM on June 5, 2018 [1 favorite]
Another vote for a long-acting corticosteroid shot like Kenalog.
posted by quince at 2:01 PM on June 5, 2018
posted by quince at 2:01 PM on June 5, 2018
Ten years seems like a long time ago in terms of this technology, but I just got my dog a 6-week shot for the itching caused by seasonal allergies. The canine drug is Cytopoint. It uses monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy, which upon looking up just now I realize I am familiar with via adalimumab (Humira) and secukinumab (Cosentyx) for psoriatic arthritis (and other autoimmune diseases).
Because I know about them in that context, I know that they retail for like $2500/shot today and I have to use my special formulary insurance ($100 copay instead of $15), and I don't know if you could get a doctor to give them to you for severe mosquito allergy (side effects are not at all dramatic in my experience, though obviously there's people who don't react well). The vet charged me $85 for the dog's version, but was much more eager to do that rather than put her on steroids again.
posted by Lyn Never at 4:45 PM on June 5, 2018 [1 favorite]
Because I know about them in that context, I know that they retail for like $2500/shot today and I have to use my special formulary insurance ($100 copay instead of $15), and I don't know if you could get a doctor to give them to you for severe mosquito allergy (side effects are not at all dramatic in my experience, though obviously there's people who don't react well). The vet charged me $85 for the dog's version, but was much more eager to do that rather than put her on steroids again.
posted by Lyn Never at 4:45 PM on June 5, 2018 [1 favorite]
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posted by gregr at 8:14 AM on June 5, 2018 [3 favorites]