{"id":6855,"date":"2024-12-23T01:09:06","date_gmt":"2024-12-23T01:09:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/?p=6855"},"modified":"2024-12-23T01:09:06","modified_gmt":"2024-12-23T01:09:06","slug":"a-mothers-research-saved-her-son-a-hidden-disease-parents-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/a-mothers-research-saved-her-son-a-hidden-disease-parents-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"A Mother\u2019s Research Saved Her Son: A Hidden Disease Parents Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The rise in global temperatures has led to an alarming increase in tick populations and tick-borne diseases. Among these illnesses, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is one that parents should be acutely aware of to protect their children. One mother\u2019s determination and advocacy saved her son from potentially dire consequences, highlighting the importance of awareness.\n\n\n\n<figure class='\"wp-block-image\"'><img decoding='\"async\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/boreddaddy.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/2149140515-1.jpg?ezimgfmt=rs:470x313%5C/rscb1%5C/ng:webp%5C/ngcb1%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-70084\"\/'><figcaption class='\"wp-element-caption\"'>Source:&nbsp;<a href="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/www.freepik.com%5C/free-photo%5C/skin-allergy-person-s-arm_19672655.htm#fromView=search&amp;page=1&amp;position=6&amp;uuid=0267a36c-36ba-41ea-9222-5d3abc2fe26e&amp;new_detail=true%5C%22">Freepik\n\n\n\n<h4 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'><strong>A Tick Bite Turns Serious\n\n\n\n<p>It all began innocuously for five-year-old Mason McNair, who was enjoying a day outdoors with his grandparents. Later, his grandmother discovered a tick lodged in his navel during bath time. Despite carefully removing the tick, the area remained inflamed and red. A visit to the doctor led to a prescription for antibiotics, but things quickly escalated.\n\n\n\n<figure class='\"wp-block-image\"'><img decoding='\"async\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/boreddaddy.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/image-48.png?ezimgfmt=rs:470x470%5C/rscb1%5C/ng:webp%5C/ngcb1%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-70085\"\/'>\n\n\n\n<p>Mason developed a fever, stomachaches, and a rash. His mother, Danielle McNair, initially attributed the rash to heat, given the summer weather. However, as the rash rapidly spread, covering most of Mason\u2019s body, their family doctor reassured them it was a delayed reaction to the medication.<a href="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/go.ezodn.com%5C/ads%5C/charity%5C/proxy?p_id=eba9f51c-df58-4f29-56bd-03ff926bf7b7&amp;d_id=79196&amp;imp_id=4166425009599077&amp;c_id=1134&amp;l_id=10016&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fjoinourvillage.org%2Fdonate%2F&amp;ffid=1&amp;co=XK%5C%22">\n\n\n\n<p>Danielle\u2019s instincts told her otherwise. After conducting her own research and consulting her sister, a veterinarian, she became convinced that her son had Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a tick-borne illness often overshadowed by more commonly known infections.\n\n\n\n</p><h4 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'><strong>The Hidden Dangers of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever\n\n\n\n<p>Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a serious illness that can occur after a tick bite. Its symptoms include fever, headaches, and a spreading rash\u2014all of which Mason exhibited. Despite its name, RMSF isn\u2019t confined to mountainous regions. It has been found across various parts of America and beyond. Without prompt and specific treatment, RMSF can be fatal, especially in children.<img decoding='\"async\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/go.ezodn.com%5C/utilcave_com%5C/ezoicbwa.png%5C%22" alt='\"Ezoic\"'>\n\n\n\n<figure class='\"wp-block-image\"'><img decoding='\"async\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/boreddaddy.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/image-50.png?ezimgfmt=rs:470x627%5C/rscb1%5C/ng:webp%5C/ngcb1%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-70086\"\/'><figcaption class='\"wp-element-caption\"'>Source:&nbsp;<a href="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/www.facebook.com%5C/christopher.mcnair.735%5C%22">Facebook\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, the illness often goes undiagnosed due to its resemblance to other conditions like Lyme disease or heat rash. Misdiagnosis is common, especially in children, as their symptoms can manifest differently. Tragically, in 2017, a two-year-old girl lost her life after her RMSF symptoms were misdiagnosed.\n\n\n\n</p><h4 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'><strong>A Mother\u2019s Determination Makes the Difference\n\n\n\n<p>Danielle\u2019s persistence paid off. Insisting on additional tests and advocating for her son, she pushed the doctors to explore the possibility of RMSF. Her research and determination saved Mason\u2019s life, as he was promptly treated with the correct antibiotics. Today, Mason has fully recovered.<img decoding='\"async\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/go.ezodn.com%5C/utilcave_com%5C/ezoicbwa.png%5C%22" alt='\"Ezoic\"'>\n\n\n\n</p><p>\u201cIf I hadn\u2019t done my own research and continued to push, we would be in a completely different situation with my son. And that is scary,\u201d Danielle shared. Her experience underscores the critical need for parents to trust their instincts and advocate for their children\u2019s health.\n\n\n\n<figure class='\"wp-block-image\"'><img decoding='\"async\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/boreddaddy.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/image-55.png?ezimgfmt=rs:470x627%5C/rscb1%5C/ng:webp%5C/ngcb1%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-70087\"\/'>\n\n\n\n<h4 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'><strong>Raising Awareness to Protect Others\n\n\n\n<p>Rocky Mountain spotted fever may not be as widely known as Lyme disease, but its consequences can be just as severe. Danielle now dedicates herself to spreading awareness about RMSF. She urges parents to be vigilant, advocate for their children, and educate themselves about tick-borne diseases.\n\n\n\n</p><p>\u201cDoctors are human, too. They don\u2019t know everything. Always be an advocate for your child and do your own research,\u201d she emphasizes. Danielle\u2019s story is a powerful reminder that knowledge and advocacy can make all the difference.<img decoding='\"async\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/go.ezodn.com%5C/utilcave_com%5C/ezoicbwa.png%5C%22" alt='\"Ezoic\"'>\n\n\n\n</p><h4 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'><strong>Preventing Tick-Borne Illnesses\n\n\n\n<p>To minimize the risk of tick-borne diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, follow these precautions:\n\n\n\n</p><ul>\n<li>Avoid direct contact with ticks by wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors.\n\n\n\n</li><li>Use tick repellents approved by the CDC.\n\n\n\n</li><li>Check for ticks on your body, especially after outdoor activities.\n\n\n\n</li><li>Safely remove ticks using tweezers and monitor the bite area for signs of infection.\n\n\n\n\n<p>Danielle\u2019s experience serves as a vital lesson for all parents: trust your instincts, stay informed, and protect your children from hidden dangers like Rocky Mountain spotted fever.\n\n\n\n</p><p>Please SHARE this article with your friends and family on Facebook.<a href="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/go.ezodn.com%5C/ads%5C/charity%5C/proxy?p_id=eba9f51c-df58-4f29-56bd-03ff926bf7b7&amp;d_id=79196&amp;imp_id=9179775171608329&amp;c_id=1084&amp;l_id=10016&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazonconservation.org%2Ftake-action%2Fdonate%2F&amp;ffid=1&amp;co=XK%5C%22">\n\n\n\n<p>Love and Peace\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"</p><div class='\"mh-excerpt\"'><p>The rise in global temperatures has led to an alarming increase in tick populations and tick-borne diseases. Among these illnesses, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is <a class='\"mh-excerpt-more\"' href="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/sciencesandnatures.com%5C/a-mothers-research-saved-her-son-a-hidden-disease-parents-should-know%5C/%5C%22" title='\"A' mother research saved her son: a hidden disease parents should know>[&hellip;]\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6855"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6855"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6855\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6856,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6855\/revisions\/6856"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6855"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6855"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}</a></p></div></a></p></li></ul></strong></h4></strong></h4></figure></p></strong></h4></a></figcaption></figure></p></strong></h4></a></p></figure></p></strong></h4></a></figcaption></figure></p>