An Oklahoma woman certainly had a memorable trip to Grand Lakes after her family vacation got her bitten by a tick.
Jo Rogers fell ill four days after coming back from her vacation but a tick bite never even occurred to her. She just thought she had the flu and decided to rest at home. On the fifth day, however, she was brought to the hospital because her hands and feet were hurting. The doctors tested Rogers for meningitis and the West Nile river virus but the results were negative.
On the sixth day, Rogers' organs had started shutting down. Her hands also began turning blue and black and that was when someone suggested to get her checked out for a tick bite. After all, she did spend time outdoors in Grand Lakes.
Rogers was indeed bitten by a tick and just one bite made it possible for the Rocky Mountain spotted fever to spread throughout her body. To save her life, the doctors decided to amputate below her left knee and below both her elbows, keeping the infection from spreading further.
Though she still has her life, Rogers is in for a rough time. This is why her family and friends are rallying around her, keeping her spirits up and raising money to get her started with this new challenge.
"You're still with us. You're going to get to watch your boys grow up and you've got a lot of people pulling for you," said Lisa Morgan, Rogers' cousin.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever has been around since the 1920s. From just two out of every million people back in 2000, the number of cases recorded per year grew to more than six by 2010. Cases are reported throughout the year but infections are most prominent during summer, with cases peaking in June and July.
Historically, those who get sick from the Rocky Mountain spotted fever are males at least 40 years old. There is increased risk of acquiring the disease if one is usually surrounded by dogs and lives close to areas with high grass or wooded areas. Additionally, those who are below 10 years old and have compromised immunity are likelier to get sick while delayed treatment increases the likelihood of a fatal outcome from the diseases.
Photo: Frankie Leon | Flickr
