Speakers Corner
It's free to register, to post a question or to start / join a discussion
I'll never complain about a midgie bite again...
« first « previous … 2 3 4 5 6 next »
Likes # 0
Posted August 3, 2012 at 9:37PM
My distraught sister has just phoned to tell me that her husband is in hospital after being bit by, as yet unknown, insect.
He works as a ship's agent which necessitates him boarding ships in the port of Hull and doing what a ship's agent does. Apparently he was between decks and he felt a bite on his foot, as he was wearing steel toe capped leather boots it must have been one helluva bite!
On reaching the captain's cabin he managed to get his boot off a rapidly swelling foot to discover puncture marks on his big toe but no sign of the wee beastie what did it. His whole leg began swelling and he was rushed to hospital, his leg by now three times as big as his other leg. His blood pressure and temperature were sky high and, understandably, he felt pretty crap. His leg has ballooned so much that the skin is splitting and blistering and breaking into open sores. He is on intravenous antibiotics and painkillers and here is the worrying part, large doses of a 'purple' pill because they think the beastie has burrowed inside him and the pills are meant to kill whatever it is!!!
I asked my sister where the ship had sailed from but I'm afraid she didn't know as she was too upset to asked. Any further developments I'll post as and when.
Likes # 0
Posted August 5, 2012 at 11:43PM
The bad news is that they still don't know what it was that bit him!
I suppose they are sure it was a bite, and not something that pierced his boot? It seems slightly odd to me that anything could have got inside his steel-capped boot without him feeling something.
Have you traced the origin of this waste food? Goole has recently had a big problem with flies from a waste food consignment that sat on the dock for about three weeks, and I know that waste food from within the UK is shipped around on a regular basis.
Likes # 0
Posted August 6, 2012 at 9:17AM
FE, I asked my sister again and she doesn't know, I can't really press her for information as she is still quite distraught. I can only hope that the more experienced people i.e the solicitors, on the case are on the trail and can furnish the information to the hospital - at least then they could tailor the medical treatment accordingly.
In my opinion, the only way a wee beastie could have gained access to the toe was to slither/creep down the top of his sock and work itself along to it's target?
Likes # 0
Posted August 6, 2012 at 11:31AM
Brumas
Don't want to sound disrespectful, but didn't I mention that on page 1 August 3rd at 11.35pm. To get to the toe its got to be something very small, unless something penetrated the steel toe capped boot.
The solicitor's at this stage will know very little, because they will be reliant on information from the hospital and possibly the local authorities and health and safety.
If the doctor's at the hospital follow normal procedures, they would have already taken advice from other specialist hospitals, including supplying samples of blood tests etc. But these tests do take time, before they may show anything.
Two questions are would ask, and you are not obliged to answer, and I apologise, as I do not want to offend. (1) Is the leg uncovered or as the hospital used a crepe type bandage or 'Collis' plaster cast. (2) Is your brother-in-law on medication (short or long term), and as recently added to or changed the medication (possibly for bone or joint treatment).
I would point out that I am not medically qualified, but the comments that I have made might be significant, having seen similar conditions of sudden 'infections'.
I wish your brother-in-law well, and hope that the hospital will have further information and possible cure available very soon.
Likes # 0
Posted August 6, 2012 at 11:39AM
In the days of our desert training, we always shook out boots before putting them on to shake out scorpions and other beasties. I just wonder if a spider or similar could have been in them when he put them on - there are a few nasties about these days. I wish him well and hope they find the cause soon.
Likes # 0
Posted August 6, 2012 at 12:52PM
spuds I missed your first observation, I should pay more heed!
In answer to your questions (1) as far as I know it is uncovered and (2) I really have no idea regarding any medications but can't recall being told of any prior to this incident.
I couldn't possibly take any offence and you certainly haven't been disrespectful as all you are trying to do is help, that is the most important thing and I thank you for that.
Likes # 0
Posted August 6, 2012 at 12:56PM
john bunyan, I think my sister would take offence if you are suggesting there are wee beasties running amok in her house in North Hull, because that is where he put his boots on ;o}}
Likes # 0
Posted August 6, 2012 at 2:09PM
Maybe a spider could gain access to his foot by crawling over the top and down in to the boot. But seems strange that it could get all the way to his toe before getting riled enough to bite. Surely it would have bitten before it got that far? The boots would have to be faulty for a snake to bite through. The upper would have to be detached from the sole if it were steel toe caps surely. Very strange indeed.
I was going to mention the law earlier but thought I better hadn't as someone would say "Typical Scouser, looking for compo straight away"
I'm sure the main thing the family want is for the patient to recover quickly. I hope so too. It sounds bloody awful.
Likes # 0
Posted August 6, 2012 at 2:37PM
Bing.alau I had to bide a while before I broached the subject of the law but let's face it, it had to be mentioned and when I mentioned unions and the local rag to my sisterI was glad to be told that the matter was already in hand.
The prime consideration will always be the recovery of my brother-in-law but the aftermath must also be seriously thought about.
Likes # 0
Posted August 7, 2012 at 5:24PM
Brumas any info about the brother in law yet, hope he's at least getting the correct treatment by now.
Likes # 0
Posted August 7, 2012 at 5:52PM
carver Thanks for asking, no news as yet but I shall be in touch with my sister tonight so hopefully I'll be able to provide an update
« first « previous … 2 3 4 5 6 next »
Reply to this topic
This thread has been locked.
Check out PC Advisor's other tech forums
Top 5 Most Popular
-
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Apple iPhone 5 comparison review
-
Best cases and covers for the new iPad: protect your tablet in style
-
What’s the best mobile OS: iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8 or BlackBerry 10?
-
How to set a song on your iPhone as a ringtone
-
Galaxy S4 vs BlackBerry Z10 comparison review - which is best, the Samsung or the BlackBerry?
