Teen peanut death prompts team

The Australian: Teen peanut death prompts team :

"Hamidur Rahman, 13, died from an anaphylactic reaction at a school excursion in March 2002. The NSW Coroner then recommended staff at NSW schools and childcare centres receive allergy awareness training."

This is terrible that such a young boy has died from a peanut butter allergy on a school excursion. So sad. But I don't actually understand why people are suddenly so very allergic tp peanuts. Peanuts have been peanuts and if I am having trouble getting my head around them being seriously dangerous then I think we just don't exactly understand why this is happening. We know about fatal shell fish allergies. I have a sister in law who gets into a life threatening state with just a smidge of shell fish. But peanuts? We have all been through school. We have all eaten peanuts and peanut butter . They are widely eaten and family staples like Weet-bix and Vegemite. Suddenly there is talk of epipens and deaths and we don't actually understand. I watch mothers a kids reading chocolate bars at the supermarket to check for peanuts, so I am starting to realise this really is serious. So why now? Why peanuts? Allergic reactions didn't used to be life threatening. Why are they now? Once we understand that , we will get it and adjust. I don't think we have had this explained so we understand it.It's like hearing that jam is life threatening. Why weren't people allergic before? This is such a terrible thing for the boy's family, his school and his friends.