Doctors reportedly checked her for many illnesses, including West Nile virus and meningitis.
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Not every tick bite leads to the disease. Doctors did it to save Jo Rogers’ life from the aggressive bacteria the insect passed on.
Few people die from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever anymore, since it can be treated with antibiotics. On the fifth day, however, she was brought to the hospital because her hands and feet were hurting.
“By Saturday morning, her arms and feet were turning dark blue and black”, Morgan said.
An Oklahoma mother of two is recovering after her arms and legs were amputated in an attempt to stop the spread of a bacterial infection she contracted from a tick bite. The early symptoms of RMF mimic the flu – headache, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and muscle pain, CNN added. Yet, initially, no one thought to suspect tick-borne illness.
“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.
All it took was one bite from a tick and an Oklahoma woman’s life was changed forever.
To save her life, the doctors decided to amputate below her left knee and below both her elbows, keeping the infection from spreading further. But treatment should start in the first five days of infection. Unfortunately, Rogers’ family didn’t notice it until too late.
Only 1% to 3% of ticks carry the bacteria called Rickettsia rickettsii, according to Oklahoma’s health department, and to transmit it, the host tick usually has to bite for four to six hours. After all, she did spend time outdoors in Grand Lakes.
“She’s a attractive, energetic fun person and I mean nobody deserves this”, said Lisa Morgan.
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The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the medical bills.
