tse-tse bite reaction - what now?
 

Any words of wisdom from travelers allergic to bug bites who were bitten by tse-tses? My arms got knots where the Serengeti tse-tses bit a couple weeks ago, that has softened, but now they ache like crazy and I have a hard time carrying heavy things. I took all of my Malarone and a few Cipro, just in case of infection.

You need to see a specialist (tropical medicine??) - and the quicker the better. I am clueless but I do know that many "tropical" maladies do not show up for a period of time. What is your temperature? Hopefully someone here can put your mind at rest by telling you they had something similar, but you really should go straight to the specialist anyway. I do not know why you are asking!!!!! Go.

Ditto to what he said.

ok, ok, not what I wanted to hear, but know you are right - will go!! (no temp, just the aches) thanks for responding, would probably have procrastinated until it got more serious... deb

Maybe, you are trying to connect the bites to your pain....but, if your whole arm hurts, then maybe you strained a muscle or shoulder or something?

However, do get it checked out...

Hari

Africain trypanosomiasis also caused Africain sleeping sickness, is caused by the bite of the tsetse fly. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that between 300,ooo and 500,000 are infected each year. Trypansomiasis is fatal to humans, if left untreated. This disease is difficult to diagnose and symptoms may not appear until weeks or months after the initial bite. Your symptoms are in keeping with the those of one form of trypanosomiasis. Make certain your Doc knows where you have traveled and that you were bitten by tsetse flies. Mention that you are concerned about trpanosomiasis. Unless your physician is certain you are not infected, ask to be referred to an Infectious Disease Specialist. Early treatment is essential. Sorry to sound so alarming ( I am a Doc) but this is a potentially lethal disease and you need professional medical help, not Fodor's Forum members well ment suggestions.
KIBOKO'S Husband

Deb:

<b><font color="blue">DO</font></b> let us know how you make out!!!

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

wildebeestus,
Hope you have a doctor's appointment today! I know when I got my immunizations from my travel clinic, the doctor told me to call anytime during the first year after travel if I had a fever or any type of reactions to bites. PLEASE keep us posted, hoping this is just an allergic reaction of some sort.
Teri

Where do you live? Perhaps one of us can recommend a good infectous disease doc in your area (we are in LA and I have the name of two experts one at Cedars and one at UCLA if you are in the area). Good luck.

Carol

Wow, what a flood of caring!! The forum is full of wonderful folks - I thank you all!!

Kiboko's husband - thanks for the medical info!! After posting last night, I realized Fodor's shouldn't be my first line of medical diagnosing, so thanks for taking the time.

I WILL, I WILL be contacting a specialist today. I am in Cleveland, OH area, if anyone knows a specialist. I searched the Cleve Clinic site, but didn't get DR link. I will call my travel clinic today for a referral.

Once again, thanks for the support - I probably would have waited. I'll give you the scoop when I know. Deb

Deb,
How are you? Did you see or talk to a doctor? Feeling better?
Teri

I was wondering the same. Hope you are o.k. and feeling better.

I've been thinking about her too. I'm sure it takes time to get blood test results?

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

Hi Kids, Your caring is above and beyond! Thanks to your no-nonsense advice to get to the doc - I did.

Called the Travel Clinic where I got my shots - referred me to my family doc. Called the family doc and he referred me to the Travel Clinic. (I need to learn to use smileys - this is a place for one with crossed eyes!)

Now, I am not in a teeny town somewhere in the middle of nowhere - I am minutes from the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals Networks - both incredible facilities!!!

Luck would have it was taking my mom to her doc appointment, the elevator door opened up on a floor long enough for me to catch the &quot;Infectious Diseases&quot; office sign and arrow. Poor man in the elevator with us got a tidge nervous about my excitement in spotting the &quot;Infectious Disease&quot; office.... I assured him I wasn't contagious!

So I made an appointment, saw the doc. He says could just be an African virus causing the aches, but took lots of blood and urine test to rule out any specific maladies.

Will keep you posted!!! Thanks again for the concern. Deb

Deb, good to hear you're being checked out. Hope it proves to be nothing serious but glad you're taking no chances!

Ditto Deb - Do let us know how things turn out for you!

Sharon

One other thing...I notice that you said you took 'a few cipro, just in case of infection.' Actually, taking fewer than a full prescription can lead to a worse infection, if the medication does not have a chance to fully knock out the bugs. Hopefully you'll be fine anyway, but it's good to be aware for the future.

Fodor Friends with kind hearts,

The reports are in from the infectious disease labwork, and all is as it should be, no parasites or unusual levels of anything!

Tse-tses are off the hook for causing any trouble!! (Well, except for all the slapping and swatting in the Serengeti..) Guess the stiffness and soreness is just how my body handled the bites. Thanks again for the advice and concern. Deb

Deb,
Great news! Do your arms still hurt??
Teri

Deb,
I'm really glad to hear the good news. At least now you can relax and the Tse Tse will be glad they are off the hook - they get a lot of bad press :))

Imelda

Good news!

<b>Deb</b>:

Glad to hear the good news! Are you feeling better?

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

Good to hear. Thanks for the update. Did they conclude that it was indeed an allergic reaction for future knowledge.
Curious question, did they check your uric acid and histamine levels or was this strictly a test for infection/parasites etc.?
Sherry

good news.

Great news! Thanks for the update.

Glad you are well.

I suffered through some awful bites from Serengeti in March.

I used a hydrocortisine cream, and later bacitracin for the bites that I just had to scratch. It provided some relief, at least.

My wife and I still laugh (after the fact) when we pick up our Lonely Planet guide for Tanzania, which still has the remains of many a dead Tse-tse fly.....it was our chief self defense weapon.

Deb~Glad to hear you are o.k. The bites haven't soured you on Africa have they? Take care!

DPDNY,
Silly me, left the Lonely Planet guidebook at home, fearing the extra weight. Little did I know its fearsome battle powers! Next trip, it gets the front and center pocket of the backpack.

Countingdown,
Yes, the arms still ache. Have always had issues with bug bites, very allergic, so am guessing tse-tses just created a stronger reaction. (But it is fun to chat about tse-tses. Not quite so mundane as mozzies...)

Cybor,
I don't know, should I know???

matnikstym,
Africa is literally now in my blood!!! Of course I hope to return MANY times.