[Risk factors for allergy to hymenoptera stings]

Hymenoptera stings are common and potentially serious. The clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic aspects of allergy to hymenoptera venom are being better and better understood. A retrospective descriptive enquiry of hymenoptera stings in 270 consultations in a Central General Hospital has established three risk factors in the possibility of a serious reaction (R.A.G.): Men: 2.4 times more allergic reactions (R.A.). Severity of R.A. increases with age, especially after 50 years. Hornet stings have a risk 5 times greater than that of bees and 4.3 times greater than wasp.