• Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices

Franklin County Times
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyles
  • Obituaries
  • Records
  • Subscribe
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a news tip
  • Submit a photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Birthday announcement
  • Engagement announcement
  • Wedding announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
    Franklin County Times
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
    Franklin County, News, RSS Facebook, RSS General, RSS Twitter
     By  Melissa Cason Published 
    7:42 am Wednesday, June 16, 2010

    A mother warns about a silent predator

    VINA – Now that school is out for the summer, many parents send their children outside to enjoy the sunshine and to get that ever-needed exercise each day.

    But, while we are sending our children outdoors, we need to be aware of a silent predator.

    This small predator is a tick, and while we often consider ticks as harmless, this is not the case, officials said.

    Ticks can carry lyme disease, an illness that can lead to death if left untreated.

    Kim Davidson, of Vina, didn’t really think much about it when her son, Matt, started complaining of leg cramps toward the end of last summer. Little did she know the cramps were the first sign of lyme disease.

    “I just thought he was growing,” Davidson said. “I really didn’t think much of it until time had passed and the symptoms got worse instead of better.”

    It was last October before Matt would receive a proper diagnosis.

    “Lyme disease is something that you can’t find unless you are specifically looking for it,” Davidson said. “There is a test for the marker for it, but sometimes, the test is wrong.”

    In Matt’s case, the test was wrong.

    “I kept asking if he could have lyme disease, but the doctor kept saying ‘no’,” Davidson said.

    “Finally, we got another doctor to do a second test, and it was found.”

    Davidson said lyme disease is the kind of disease that multiplies every few days so by the time Matt was properly diagnosed, they were informed that he would be treated with antibiotics for months.

    “It’s not something you can get rid of with just a round or so of antibiotics. It takes time to kill the disease and it’s a very painful process,” Davidson said.

    Matt has been homebound since October because his illness has made it impossible to attend school, play sports and participate in his usual activities.

    “He has his good days and his bad days,” Davidson said. “On his good days, you can’t tell there is anything wrong with him, but on his bad days, the pain is difficult for him to tolerate, and his energy plummets. I try to let him be a kid during his good days.”

    According to the Center for Disease Control, lyme disease begins with a rash, and is followed by lack of energy, fever, headache and stiff neck, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.  The early infection takes one to four weeks to become severe so many times patients don’t realize they are sick until the infection has spread.

    If left untreated, the disease can cause muscle weakness, fainting, recurring headaches, paralysis of the facial nerves, pinkeye, and occasional rapid heartbeats.

    “He could have lasting affects from this disease, but we won’t know if he will or how severe the affects will be until he’s through with the treatment,” Davidson said.

    Davidson said she wants everyone to be aware that this disease is a real threat and that steps should be made to prevent it.

    According to the CDC, the best way to prevent lyme disease it to stay away from areas where they live.

    Ticks prefer wooded and bushy areas with high grass and a lot of leaf litter. These are areas to avoid.

    Take extra precautions in May, June, and July. This is when ticks that transmit lyme disease are most active.

    If you do enter a tick area, walk in the center of the trail to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush, and leaf litter.

    If you are going to be in these areas, insect repellant should be used.

    Also on Franklin County Times
    “OLD GLORY”
    Franklin Living
    “OLD GLORY”
    Jeff Johnson 
    July 2, 2025
    Most of my life I have heard the flag of the United States of America affectionately called “Old Glory.” In my imagination I associated that phrase wi...
    4 cities, towns have contested mayoral elections
    Main, News, Russellville
    4 cities, towns have contested mayoral elections
    ELECTION
    Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
    July 2, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE — Four of Franklin County’s cities or towns will have contested mayoral elections in the Aug. 26 municipal elections. The most hotly cont...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Participants enjoy ‘Magic of Reading,’ the color of fruits and ballon animals
    Lifestyles, Russellville
    In the Community
    Participants enjoy ‘Magic of Reading,’ the color of fruits and ballon animals
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 2, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE Laughter, wonder and a touch of enchantment filled the Russellville Public Library as magician Russell Davis brought his show “The Magic ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Allison tapped to lead Lady Bobcats softball
    High School Sports, Phil Campbell Bobcats, Sports
    Allison tapped to lead Lady Bobcats softball
    Bart Moss For the FCT 
    July 2, 2025
    PHIL CAMPBELL -- A familiar face will be leading the Phil Campbell High School Lady Bobcats softball program next season. Darby Allison, a 2007 gradua...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    FFA students bring home state convention honors
    Franklin County, News, Phil Campbell, ...
    FFA students bring home state convention honors
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 2, 2025
    Red Bay and Phil Campbell FFA students, along with a Hackleburg member of the Franklin County Junior Cattlemen, earned state-level honors at Alabama’s...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}{"newsletter":"Newsletter"}
    Army’s future requires support, encouragement from community
    Columnists, Opinion
    Army’s future requires support, encouragement from community
    July 2, 2025
    “Thank you for your service,” are words I often hear while wearing my uniform in your community. I am grateful to hear those words, but what many peop...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    6 local students accepted into FAME program
    Franklin County, Sports
    6 local students accepted into FAME program
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    July 2, 2025
    Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) has signed 6 Franklin County students to its 2025–26 Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME)...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Darby is denied parole
    News
    CRIME NEWS
    Darby is denied parole
    Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
    July 2, 2025
    MONTGOMERY -- A man serving a 10-year sentence on Franklin County assault convictions was denied parole on June 25, according to records from the Alab...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Latest Local News
    Jars of drugs lead to a local trafficking arrest
    RUSSELLVILLE — A Russellville man is facing multiple drug-related charges, including two counts of drug trafficking after law enforcement located and ...
    July 2, 2025
    4 cities, towns have contested mayoral elections
    4 cities, towns have contested mayoral elections
    RUSSELLVILLE — Four of Franklin County’s cities or towns will have contested mayoral elections in the Aug. 26 municipal elections.The most hotly conte...
    July 2, 2025
    Red Bay Police can use electronic signatures
    RED BAY – Police can now use electronic signatures for their reports. City council members approved the policy after learning it was a requirement to ...
    July 2, 2025
    Participants enjoy ‘Magic of Reading,’ the color of fruits and ballon animals
    Participants enjoy ‘Magic of Reading,’ the color of fruits and ballon animals
    RUSSELLVILLE Laughter, wonder and a touch of enchantment filled the Russellville Public Library as magician Russell Davis brought his show “The Magic ...
    July 2, 2025
    Rain delays repair projects
    RED BAY – Persistent rainfall has delayed drainage and road repair projects in the city. “You can’t dig when it’s mud,” Mayor Charlene Fancher said re...
    July 2, 2025

    More Local News

    Latest Stories
    Jars of drugs lead to a local trafficking arrest
    RUSSELLVILLE — A Russellville man is facing multiple drug-related charges, including two counts of drug trafficking after law enforcement located and ...
    July 2, 2025
    Rain delays repair projects
    RED BAY – Persistent rainfall has delayed drainage and road repair projects in the city. “You can’t dig when it’s mud,” Mayor Charlene Fancher said re...
    July 2, 2025
    Red Bay Police can use electronic signatures
    RED BAY – Police can now use electronic signatures for their reports. City council members approved the policy after learning it was a requirement to ...
    July 2, 2025
    Land Transactions
    May 30 • Tim Horton and Charles Moudy to Kimberly Shay Horton and Timothy Chad Horton, survivorship • Mario Cifuentes Tello to Edilsar Noe Edcobedo Ro...
    July 2, 2025
    Teenager struck by lighting
    RUSSELLVILLE -- A 19-year-old woman is recovering after being struck by lightning while talking on a cellphone Saturday. Emergency personnel responded...
    July 2, 2025
    Latest Sports
    Allison tapped to lead Lady Bobcats softball
    Allison tapped to lead Lady Bobcats softball
    PHIL CAMPBELL -- A familiar face will be leading the Phil Campbell High School Lady Bobcats softball program next season. Darby Allison, a 2007 gradua...
    July 2, 2025
    6 local students accepted into FAME program
    6 local students accepted into FAME program
    Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) has signed 6 Franklin County students to its 2025–26 Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME)...
    July 2, 2025
    Junior golfers hone skills through summer program
    Junior golfers hone skills through summer program
    RUSSELLVILLE -- A young generation of golfers teed off this summer at Twin Pines Country Club, thanks to a local effort to create opportunities for ch...
    July 2, 2025
    Belgreen’s Moore earns First Team All-State honors
    Belgreen’s Moore earns First Team All-State honors
    BELGREEN -- Jemma Moore has been named to the AHSAA First Team All-State for softball, becoming just the ninth player in school history to earn the di...
    June 18, 2025
    Maddox retires after 26 years of shaping young minds at RMS
    Maddox retires after 26 years of shaping young minds at RMS
    R U S S E L L V I L L E -- Teaching for Diane Maddox has never been just about grammar rules or reading comprehension, but rather about connection, cr...
    June 18, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Special Sections
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Special Sections
      • Sponsored Content

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Submit a Classified Ad
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , Franklin County Times