From Trussville Tribune staff reports
SHELBY COUNTY – A man in Helena says that he is suffering from what may be a case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to a report by WIAT. The man contracted the illness after being bitten by a tick in his backyard.
Photo from the CDC.
Allen Morgan began breaking out in rashes all over his body with some sores forming inside of his mouth. He has described his symptoms as being painful and highly uncomfortable.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes the illness as a, “tickborne disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. This organism is a cause of potentially fatal human illness in North and South America, and is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected tick species.”
According to the CDC, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is characterized by fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and muscle pain being symptoms. If not treated soon, it could prove fatal. The disease can be carried by the American dog tick and the brown dog tick.
The CDC website says that specialized lab tests used to confirm Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Morgan is currently awaiting results from lab tests to determine if he has the disease.
See tips from the CDC on how to prevent tick bites here.
20 Comments
Stacey Jacobson Crawford
Richard Crawford
Kay Hicks
When my husband had it they told us no blood test would show it up. He had fever and chills. We had to wait 6 months for him to be tested and he did have it. I told them about the tick he had on him so they started antibiotic for it just in case. They were hoping he would break out but he never did.
Casey Corcoran McFarling
Debbie Zealy Johnson
Kristi Lanette Thomas
Good friend has it in Lebanon Tennessee, he’s in ICU now
Autumn Tyler Chambers
Neal Chambers
David Busby
Ashley
Kaitlin Epps
Jonny Brasher
Tom McNeal
They do have a test now…a family member that lives in North Alabama was tested last week and confirmed to have Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever. Get to the doc quick
Debbie Zealy Johnson
Haha. I saw the headlines and was gonna tag you!
Syble Kelley
my son got it in Hayden or Cullman, tick bite
Trisha Bowman
Deborah Bachelor
Kathleen Alfano Latham
I was treated for Lyme Disease about a month & a half ago. Tests came back negative but it was definitely a reaction from the tick I found on me after going to Oak Mountain! I had a fever, chills at the beginning, and my muscles grew so weak I could barely sit, stand, walk, hold my baby, and by day 3 it was messing with my fine motor skills – I was having trouble writing and brushing my teeth. It was terrifying! The antibiotics/pain needs they gave me almost instantly made me feel better! They told us at Oak Mtn that the ticks were bad and they weren’t joking! It was awful. I should have gone to the dr the first day!!!
LarryTiffany Beard
Margaret Leonard
Deborah Bachelor
Teya Steffens oak mountain
Kristen Godfrey Smith
Our yard is bad with them… Ughhhhhhhhhhh
Jacob Herren
Matthew A. Watkins
Matthew A. Watkins
It ain’t no joke!
Bri Davidson
H Ron Davidson yikes!
Liz Trucks Willingham
Robby Willingham
Ashley Sweat
Rachael Szalankiewicz