[GeoStL] Re: Central Missouri Teen Dies From Tick Disease -- SCARY!!

Before everyone freaks out.. Please read this.. 
http://www.lawestvector.org/erlichiosis.htm

This has been around for years and the it is primarily transmitted by Lone Star 
ticks (The ones with a small white dot) here in Missouri. 80 percent will not 
ever develop symptoms from this disease but those that do usually have all the 
symptoms. 

The article really doesn't go into detail on how long she had the symptoms 
before they took her to the doctor. Like any bacterial infection, the longer 
you wait, the worse it gets. Judging by the lack of ticks in the last 3 - 4 
weeks, I would guess she had flu like symptoms before they took her to the 
doctor. Since flu like symptoms are viral and not bacterial, doctors don't 
prescribe antibiotics. Unless they knew there was a tick bite involved or 
noticed a rash, they most likely treated her for flu and sent her home.

That is why it is very important to tell the doctor that you removed a tick 
from you in the last x number of weeks.

I feel sad that this happened even when it could have been prevented with a 
little knowledge about what ticks carry and how to treat them.

Mike
  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: k Sneed 
  To: geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 11:41 AM
  Subject: [GeoStL] Central Missouri Teen Dies From Tick Disease -- SCARY!!


    Central Missouri Teen Dies From Tick Disease
        created: 8/30/2007 11:13:23 AM
        updated: 8/30/2007 11:13:55 AM 
         http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=128176

       

  CENTRALIA, Mo. (AP) -- Authorities say a Centralia girl has died of a 
tick-borne disease.

  The Boone County Medical Examiner's Office says 15-year-old Emily Powell died 
Wednesday from erlichiosis, a disease acquired from ticks. The girl was 
hospitalized Monday. 

  Extra counselors are available at Centralia schools Thursday to help students 
cope with the loss of a classmate.

  (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


  AP/KCLR

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