Mosquito bites are often dismissed as minor irritations, but in some cases, they can have devastating consequences.
A British man, Ross Constable, experienced this firsthand after being bitten by a mosquito during a holiday in Thailand.
What began as an innocent mosquito bite soon led to severe illness neurological complications, and a diagnosis of Tourette’s syndrome.
A simple bite with serious consequences
According to the Daily Mail, while on a 10-day holiday in Thailand, Constable, 48, was bitten by a mosquito but initially paid little attention to it.
It was only after returning home that he began experiencing flu-like symptoms, including intense fatigue, muscle aches, and a high fever.
Within days, his condition worsened—he became bedridden, experiencing severe joint pain, dizziness, and even shedding layers of skin.
After weeks of suffering and multiple medical consultations, doctors confirmed that Constable had contracted dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection that can, in severe cases, be life-threatening.
The disease is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions and is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito.
However, what baffled doctors was the neurological complications that followed.
Alongside the physical toll, Constable developed severe tics and involuntary movements. His symptoms eventually led to a diagnosis of Tourette’s syndrome, a condition characterised by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocal outbursts.
The link between mosquito-borne diseases and neurological disorders
While dengue fever itself does not directly cause Tourette’s syndrome, mosquito-borne illnesses can sometimes lead to severe neurological complications.
In rare cases, infections like dengue fever can trigger encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or other neurological disorders, which may lead to movement-related symptoms such as tics.
Constable’s experience also took a significant toll on his mental health, as he struggled with anxiety, depression, and symptoms resembling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
He was eventually prescribed medication to manage his Tourette’s symptoms and is still recovering from the long-term effects of the illness.
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