This Little Girl Suffered Preventable Paralysis - And Now Her Mom Is Trying To Warn Other Parents So Their Children Can Avoid The Same Fate

Jun 18, 2018 by apost team

Mississippi mom Jessica Griffin wants you to watch out for tick bites. Why? Her young daughter recently experienced a very scary illness all because of a single tick. 

Jessica’s Facebook post explains that one morning her daughter Kailyn woke up unable to walk. Thinking Kailyn’s legs were just asleep, Jessica became alarmed when she realized that Kailyn was also having difficulty talking. After blood tests and a CT scan, doctors at the University of Mississippi Medical Center diagnosed Kailyn with tick paralysis. 

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Jessica shared pictures of the ordeal on her Facebook page. A picture of the tick bite on Kailyn’s head is shown alongside pictures of Kailyn in her hospital bed and a tick in a plastic bag. Jessica is begging parents to remember to check their own children for ticks. 

“PLEASE for the love of god check your kids for ticks!” she wrote. “It’s more common in children than it is for adults! We are being admitted to the hospital for observation and we’re hoping her balance gets straightened out! Prayers for this baby! Scary is [an] UNDERSTATEMENT!” 

The Centers for Disease Control indicate that toxins in tick saliva appear responsible for tick paralysis. Fortunately, the paralysis is temporary and usually resolves within 24 hours of tick removal. 

WebMD says tick bites do not cause pain or itching. Ticks can be difficult to spot as they can be small when they latch onto a human host. They become more visible as they swell while feeding. 

Tick paralysis is not the only tick-borne medical condition to be worried about. Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness can all be contracted via tick bites. You should always seek medical attention if you have a rash or flu-like symptoms. You should also visit the doctor if a tick cannot be completely removed or if a tick bite shows signs of infection. 

We’re glad Kailyn is ok now, but Jessica and Kailyn’s situation show how serious tick bites can be. Heed Jessica’s warning about tick bits. Spread the word to protect your friends and family from tick-borne illnesses. You might just save a life.