According to a story from the Clarion Ledger, Keith Bradshaw of Bolton, Mississippi was on his way to celebrate New Years Eve in 2015 when he was suddenly struck by intense discomfort. It felt like a heart attack and the sensation was relentless. He was rushed to the hospital and stayed for two nights. The doctors couldn’t find anything wrong and told him his symptoms may have been linked to depression and anxiety. It would take an agonizing three years before Keith understood the true source of his symptoms: Lyme disease.
About Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Borrelia. This bacteria is commonly spread to humans through the bite of a tick. In the US, the species of tick associated with Lyme disease is called the deer tick or the black legged tick (Ixodes scapularis). A tick must be attached to a person for at least 36 hours to transmit the bacteria. Symptoms of this disease include a distinctive bullseye rash surrounding the bite, fatigue, malaise, headache, and fever. Delays in treatment can lead to more serious symptoms, such as facial paralysis, mood changes, memory loss, sleeping difficulties, meningitis, arthritis, and others. In most cases, prompt treatment can effectively cure the infection. Delayed treatment increases the chance of serious complications and long term, lingering symptoms. The number of cases of the disease appears to be growing annually. To learn more about Lyme disease, click here.
Keith’s Story
Keith wasn’t really able to explain his symptoms well to the doctors, so he trusted that their judgment was correct. However, after months of treatment for depression and anxiety, his symptoms continued to worsen. He was suffering from poor coordination, loss of hearing and taste, confusion, and loss of feeling in his face, hands, and feet.
He began to research his symptoms to find answers for himself. Keith saw info about Lyme disease but ignored it at first until he saw a video featuring a patient who had very similar symptoms. Keith also remembered pulling some ticks off of himself after tending a food plot for deer in 2015.
A test proved that Keith had Lyme disease, which was practically unheard of in Mississippi at that time. He has finally begun treatment and has seen improvement.
Remember to always check your body thoroughly for ticks after spending time in any areas with tall grass or heavy brush. Wearing long sleeves and using bug repellent with the active ingredient DEET can also help repel deer ticks.
