Death caused by tick bite... Symptoms 'in such cases' 꼭 visit the hospital

 

Jeollanam-do announced on the 1st that the first death from Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) occurred this year. The deceased had collected wild plants from a mountain near their home for about two weeks until a day before symptoms appeared, and was hospitalized on June 18th with muscle pain and fever. Their condition worsened, and they passed away on the 26th, with a confirmed diagnosis of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.

Severe fever thrombocytopenia syndrome occurs when bitten by a tick carrying the virus. There are more cases from June to October.

 

If infected

 

High fever above 38 degrees Celsius

 

Thrombocytopenia

 

Fatigue

 

▲Loss of appetite

 

▲Vomiting

 

Diarrhea

 

Stomachache

 

Symptoms such as shoulder pain appear. There are no preventive vaccines or treatments, resulting in a high mortality rate. In the past three years (2020-2022), a total of 608 patients have been reported nationwide, with 103 of them dying.

 

<Tick Prevention>

 

When engaging in outdoor activities such as farming work, it is advisable to wear agricultural work clothes with long sleeves and long pants to minimize skin exposure, and to wear gloves and boots.

 

If you are wearing everyday clothes, tightly fasten the sleeves and tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from getting inside your clothes. Wear light-colored clothing so you can immediately notice if a tick has attached to your body.

 

When sitting on grass, use a cushion or mat, and applying tick repellent to exposed skin and clothing every four hours helps prevent bites.

 

After outdoor activities, work clothes or garments should be thoroughly shaken out and washed immediately. While washing your body, carefully check for insect bites or tick bites.

 

If you squeeze or forcibly remove a tick attached to your body with your fingernails, there is a risk of additional infection from the tick's blood, so visit the nearest health center or medical institution for removal.