Actor Rajesh Sharma hospitalised after suspected insect bite: Can a bug bite turn life-threatening?

Veteran actor Rajesh Sharma, known for his performances in films including Khosla Ka Ghosla, Ishqiya, Special 26, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and several others, has been hospitalised after reportedly suffering a suspected insect bite while shooting for Prabhas' upcoming film at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. 

The incident first came to light after actor Sudipa Chatterjee shared a statement on Instagram on behalf of Sharma's family. According to the statement, Sharma had been chatting with local technicians in an area surrounded by dense vegetation after pack-up when he felt what was believed to be an insect bite, "possibly from a bug or a poisonous spider." As the bite did not initially appear serious, he did not seek immediate medical attention. 

However, the statement said that around six hours later, Sharma developed severe pain in his right leg. Despite his worsening condition, he boarded a flight to Kolkata, during which he reportedly developed a high fever, increasing restlessness and a further decline in his health. He was later admitted to Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, where doctors have been treating him for a progressing infection. 

However, the Instagram post containing the statement was later deleted. 

According to media reports, the family subsequently shared another medical update citing Dr Avijit Bhattacharya. "The infection has spread from his toes up to his knee, with large blisters developing over the affected area. According to Dr Avijit Bhattacharya, it is too early to make any definite assessment. Rajesh remains under close observation and is not yet out of danger," the statement reportedly said. 

The incident has also drawn the attention of the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA). In a statement posted on X, the association urged Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to order a high-level inquiry into the incident. It questioned whether adequate emergency medical protocols were available on the film set and why Sharma was not immediately shifted to a leading hospital in Hyderabad if his condition had become critical during the shoot.

AICWA also demanded that the film's producers bear the actor's medical expenses and sought strict legal action if any negligence or violation of workplace safety norms is established during the investigation. 

While the exact cause of Sharma's illness has not been officially confirmed and it remains unclear whether an insect bite alone led to his condition, the incident has raised an important public health question: Can an insect bite actually become life-threatening? Let's dive in. 

Can an insect bite turn life-threatening?

For most people, insect bites and stings cause nothing more than temporary pain, itching, redness or swelling that resolves within a few days. However, medical experts say that in a small proportion of cases, insect bites can trigger severe allergic reactions, serious infections or, rarely, life-threatening complications requiring urgent medical attention. 

An old review noted that most encounters with biting and stinging insects produce localised skin reactions, typically presenting as wheals or itchy papules. Larger blistering or haemorrhagic reactions may occasionally occur, particularly in children and people with no previous exposure. 

The researchers wrote, "Most of the encounters with biting and stinging insects result in more or less pronounced localised reactions." 

The review also highlighted that although severe allergic reactions following bites from mosquitoes, flies or spiders are uncommon, they have been documented. The authors concluded that prevention through avoiding bites and ensuring that highly sensitised individuals have access to emergency medication remains the most effective strategy. 

Subsequent research has reinforced that while severe reactions are relatively uncommon, they are clinically significant.

A 2012 review found that insect venom can trigger IgE-mediated anaphylaxis, a rapidly developing allergic reaction that can affect breathing, blood pressure and multiple organs. The authors estimated that up to 3.5 per cent of the population may develop potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis following bee or wasp stings, while large local allergic reactions occur in as many as one in four people. "Insect stings can cause severe disease. Anaphylaxis due to bee or wasp stings is not a rare event," the review concluded.

Researchers also noted that people who have previously experienced systemic allergic reactions should receive appropriate evaluation and, where indicated, venom immunotherapy to reduce the risk of future severe reactions. 

Evidence supporting this treatment has continued to grow. A 2017 systematic review analysing 17 studies found that venom immunotherapy (VIT) substantially reduced the risk of severe allergic reactions following future bee or wasp stings. The treatment also improved patients' quality of life, while serious adverse effects were uncommon. 

The authors concluded that venom immunotherapy is both effective and generally safe for individuals at high risk of recurrent systemic reactions. 

Beyond allergies, experts emphasise that insect bites can sometimes become dangerous because of secondary bacterial infections rather than the bite itself. Scratching an itchy bite may allow bacteria to enter the skin, occasionally leading to cellulitis or more extensive soft-tissue infections that require antibiotics and, in severe cases, hospitalisation. 

A comprehensive 2019 international position paper on insect allergy similarly reported that while systemic allergic reactions remain relatively uncommon, they can occur after stings from bees, wasps, hornets and ants. The paper estimated that systemic reactions occur in 0.3 to 7.5 per cent of adults, while severe anaphylaxis caused by insect stings accounts for a substantial proportion of fatal reactions to animal exposures. 

The authors noted that, "In allergic individuals, just a single sting can lead to severe or fatal reactions." 

The review also stressed that prompt recognition, emergency treatment and preventive measures such as carrying adrenaline auto-injectors in high-risk individuals are essential.

More recently, a 2020 review examining allergies caused by blood-feeding insects - including mosquitoes, horseflies and kissing bugs - reported that local allergic reactions occur in more than 90 per cent of people, but severe complications are uncommon. 

According to the researchers, "The bites of blood-feeding insects regularly induce sensitisation to salivary proteins and cause local hypersensitivity reactions in over 90 per cent of the population." 

They added that while anaphylaxis has been documented, particularly after mosquito, horsefly and kissing bug bites, it remains rare. 

Who is most at risk, and what to do after an insect bite?

Dr Aishwarya R, Consultant - Infectious Diseases, Aster Whitefield Hospital, said that most insect bites are harmless and usually cause only temporary redness, swelling and itching that resolve within a few days. However, she cautioned that serious complications arise not from the bite itself in most cases, but from the body's response to it or from secondary infections.

"Most insect bites are benign conditions causing only short-term irritation such as redness, swelling, and itching, which usually resolve within a few days. The bite, per se, is not typically dangerous. Life-threatening consequences arise from the body's response to the bite or from the development of infections secondary to the bite," she said. 

She explained that the two major concerns following an insect bite are anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, and secondary bacterial infections, which in some cases may spread into the bloodstream. She also pointed out that certain insects and arthropods can transmit infectious diseases through their bites depending on the species and geographical location. In addition, scratching the bite significantly increases the risk of infection. 

According to Dr Aishwarya, people should seek immediate medical attention if they develop breathing difficulty, wheezing, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, dizziness, loss of consciousness or widespread hives after an insect bite, as these may indicate anaphylaxis.

"Anyone who experiences breathing problems, wheezing, facial swelling, swelling of the lips or tongue, dizziness, loss of consciousness or generalised hives needs to get medical help immediately since these are signs of anaphylaxis, which is an urgent situation requiring prompt medical attention," she said. 

She added that medical evaluation is also necessary if the bite becomes increasingly red, swollen, warm or painful, particularly when accompanied by fever or chills, as these may indicate a bacterial infection. Other warning signs include rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, skin discolouration, persistent vomiting, confusion or reduced alertness. She advised that people should seek medical care if symptoms continue to worsen over 24 to 48 hours, or if they have underlying medical conditions that increase their risk of infection. 

Speaking about who is most vulnerable, Dr Aishwarya said individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to insect stings face the highest risk of anaphylaxis and should always carry emergency medication prescribed by their doctor. She added that children and older adults, because of differences in their immune systems, may also be more susceptible to complications. 

She further noted that people with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, weakened immunity or those taking immunosuppressive medications have a higher risk of developing skin infections even after seemingly minor insect bites. 

"These individuals should monitor insect bites closely and should not wait until complications arise before consulting a physician," she said. 

Discussing first aid, Dr Aishwarya recommended washing the affected area thoroughly with soap and clean water to reduce the risk of infection. Applying a cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes can help relieve pain and swelling, while avoiding scratching the bite is important to prevent secondary infection. 

She added that mild itching may be treated with antihistamines on the advice of a healthcare professional. Antibiotics are not routinely required and should only be used when there are clear signs of bacterial infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, pus discharge or fever. She also advised that a tetanus vaccine may be needed if the skin has been broken and the person's vaccination is not up to date. 

"If any signs of anaphylactic shock appear - such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or unconsciousness - it is imperative to seek emergency care because the timely administration of adrenaline is lifesaving," she said. 

 This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS