Why Irukandji syndrome?
The Irukandji syndrome is a rare medical condition that occours after being stung by a box jellyfish (Carukia barnesi or Irukandji jellyfish). Even though C. barnesi is the only species which has been proven to cause Irukandji syndrome, it’s widely suspected that several other species might cause it as well. It’s difficult to prove this, as most of these jellyfish are very small, and most appear to be living in the depths. Currents, storms and similar influences bring them up to shallow waters, where they encounter humans.
While a single sting usually is not fatal, the Irukandji syndrome is believed to be one of the most painful experiences known to men. The sting itself often isn’t noticed at all, and even if, it’s been described as being “like mosquito bite or a wasp sting”. Symptoms start after about 30 mins and include “headache, backache, muscle pains, chest and abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, sweating, anxiety, hypertension, and pulmonary edema” (Yeah, I quoted wikipedia on that). Symptoms last between 4 and 30 hours. There’re several records from victims to this condition (Wikipedia says: check out Discovery Channel – they have at least two programs featuring the syndrome) and what they describe doesn’t sound like fun to me.
Which is exactly what some people say about me being in their office all day long…
Ok, half kidding.
But while “painful and inconvenient” may be euphemistic when it comes to Irukandji syndrome, it may prove just fitting for my blog. (And otherwise, it’s still a pretty cool name.)