College Student With Peanut Allergy Killed By Cookies

Nineteen-year-old college student Chandler Swink has died from a severe allergic reaction to a peanut allergy. He had been in the St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital since Nov. 18 and died there Wednesday after he was taken off life support according to Oakland University officials.

"Chandler Swink's death is a tragic loss for our university," said Glenn McIntosh, OU interim vice president for student affairs, via USA Today. "He was a scholarship student with a passion for learning and had a very bright future. We offer our condolences and stand by to support his family, friends and his girlfriend."

Doctors said Swink's death was the result of simultaneous anaphylactic shock, an asthma attack and cardiac arrest. He was attending Oakland University on a 4-year, full-tuition scholarship studying to be a nurse.

Swink had a level six nut allergy, which is known as the most severe. He was diagnosed with the health problem at two. Before the attack, he had been at a friend's house with peanut butter cookies. 

Before driving himself to the hospital, he had injected himself with an EpiPen. However, doctors had predicted that he only had a 2 percent chance of survival upon arrival.

Though peanut allergies are one of the most common food allergies, they can cause severe and even potentially fatal allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). To prevent any sort of reaction, strict avoidance of peanut and peanut products is essential.

While an estimated 20 percent of children with peanut allergies may eventually outgrow their allergy, most will have this issue for their entire lives.