From: "Mike Griffin" <griff@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: <geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [GeoStL] Re: Central Missouri Teen Dies From Tick Disease --
SCARY!!
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:10:41 -0500
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
