Body Story

The immune system | Common allergies

Allergic reactions | Allergic people

Tuesday, 22nd May, 8.30pm

Graphics and drama combine to reveal more of the hidden workings of the human body. In this week’s Body Story we discover how our bodies turn against us to give us allergies — and even threaten our lives. A simple wasp sting triggers cells throughout Phoebe’s skin to make her fatally allergic to wasps. When she’s stung again, on a Florida beach holiday, Phoebe’s body mounts one of its most primitive and powerful chemical defences, one that could kill her in minutes. As she goes into anaphylactic shock, she starts to swell up, her airways shut down and her heart falters. Her only hope is urgent hospital treatment — if she can get there in time.

Crash

Teen dreams

Fat attack

Brave new world

Bad taste

Allergy

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