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Rabies Vaccine Reaction Reveals Hereditary Angioedema Diagnosis

By Drooid · Oct 17, 2026, 3:23 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Kennedy Ward of Florida suffered life-threatening reactions to rabies vaccine after a cat bite.
She was intubated eight times within three months and required a tracheostomy.
Ward spent ten months in hospital, including multiple comas.
Doctors later diagnosed hereditary angioedema, which caused airway swelling, steroid-induced bone loss, blood clots, and lung disease.
She now manages immune deficiency and expressive aphasia while continuing her bachelor's degree.

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Story summary

Kennedy Ward of Florida suffered life-threatening reactions to rabies vaccine after a cat bite.
She was intubated eight times within three months and required a tracheostomy.
Ward spent ten months in hospital, including multiple comas.
Doctors later diagnosed hereditary angioedema, which caused airway swelling, steroid-induced bone loss, blood clots, and lung disease.
She now manages immune deficiency and expressive aphasia while continuing her bachelor's degree.