Which of the following is a sign of an allergic reaction to a bee sting?

• A. Difficulty breathing
• B. Fever
• C. Sneezing
• D. Rash on the skin

Answer: (A)

Difficulty breathing signals airway involvement from a systemic allergic reaction to a bee sting, which can progress to anaphylaxis. When swelling affects the throat or bronchi, or the person starts wheezing or struggling to breathe, it’s a medical emergency that requires immediate action—call for help right away and administer an epinephrine auto-injector if one is available and you are trained to use it, then monitor the person while awaiting emergency responders.

Fever isn’t typical of an allergic reaction to a bee sting, sneezing is more related to nasal allergies, and a rash can occur with allergies but doesn’t alone indicate the dangerous airway involvement that breathing trouble does.