A seemingly innocuous mosquito bite obtained during a family holiday in Thailand has led to life-altering health complications for Ross Constable, a 48-year-old art teacher from Timperley. What started as a dream trip to Phuket in 2019 rapidly transformed into a health crisis upon his return home.

Initially, after the family’s 10-day holiday, Constable dismissed his subsequent flu-like symptoms, which included extreme fatigue, body aches, and a high fever. However, when these ailments persisted and worsened, he sought medical advice. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Ross explained the progression of his condition: “Mine didn’t go away, it just escalated. The skin all came off, you lose a lot of skin on your body, it’s one of the symptoms – it was shredding, came and went. I think I was bit on my foot.”

Despite reporting his recent travels in Thailand during a phone consultation with a doctor, Ross was initially diagnosed with a flu bug contracted during his flight home. His symptoms continued to exacerbate, leading him to be bedridden for a fortnight with alarming side effects such as skin shedding, debilitating joint pain, dizziness, and mental confusion. “I felt like I was losing my mind a bit, why do I feel like this, why am I not getting better?” he recalled.

Multiple visits to healthcare providers led to extensive testing, including screening for Wilson’s disease, which resulted negative. Ultimately, weeks later, Ross was diagnosed with dengue fever, a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes known for causing severe symptoms. Additionally, specialists suggested that Ross might have contracted Japanese encephalitis, known for causing potential neurological complications.

As his physical condition improved, Ross began to experience significant neurological symptoms, including Alice in Wonderland syndrome—a rare condition causing distortions in perception, which left him feeling confused and disoriented. This period was marked by the onset of Tourette’s syndrome, further complicating his recovery as he suffered from involuntary muscle spasms triggered by various stimuli, affecting his social interactions and quality of life.

Ross’s health struggle was compounded by severe mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD-like symptoms. He sought treatment and was prescribed medication which initially mitigated his Tourette’s symptoms but made him feel emotionally numb, prompting him to discontinue its use. “Support from family and friends was hugely beneficial at that time,” Ross noted, highlighting how small trips with loved ones aided his coping process.

While the immediate physical symptoms of dengue fever and its complications have subsided, Ross is left with the ongoing challenges posed by his Tourette’s syndrome, which he believes may be a lifelong condition. However, he continues to seek ways to manage his situation, crediting art as a crucial aspect of his recovery process. Ross uses painting to express his emotions and share his experiences, managing to transform his ordeal into a source of creativity. His upcoming art show at Hepplestone Art Gallery in Wilmslow on May 8 aims not just to showcase his art but also to raise awareness about his journey and the importance of nature and support in recovery.

In reflecting on his experiences, Ross remarked, “I feel really lucky. I’ve been told I’m lucky, you can still use your limbs, you can still talk, and you’re still here. I just feel really amazed that I have this still, that I have a life to live.” His story serves as a powerful testament to resilience in the face of unexpected and severe health challenges stemming from what was initially perceived as a benign encounter with a mosquito.

Source: Noah Wire Services