International Header

Turkey Call: Attention To Preevention

Avoid tick-borne illnesses this spring by taking a few premeditated measures.

Turkey Call: Attention To Preevention

Last updated:
March 14, 2023
|  5 min read

Turkey Call: Attention To Preevention

Turkey Call: Attention To Preevention

YouTube video highlight

Avoid tick-borne illnesses this spring by taking a few premeditated measures.

Read more about the project

Turkey Call: Attention To Preevention

Thumbnail Slider Image
No items found.

Attention to Prevention

Avoid tick-borne illnesses this spring by taking a few premeditated measures.

It took more than 20 years and multiple ambulance rides before Brenda Valentine finally received an accurate diagnosis of the disease threatening her life in 2012. Seemingly random bouts of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, caused her blood pressure to drop precipitously, sometimes rendering her unconscious within two minutes.

The reaction is often a rapid immune response to something a person is allergic to such as peanuts, bee stings, shellfish and some medications. Along with decreased blood pressure, victims often have trouble breathing as airways narrow. Some victims develop rashes or become nauseous.

People susceptible to such reactions often keep an "EpiPen" nearby. The pens inject epinephrine. Anaphylaxis can be quickly fatal.

"In the beginning, I had serious rash, itching, breathing difficulties and intestinal distress," Valentine shared. "This progressed to full- blown anaphylaxis with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, epinephrin injections and scaring the crap out of anyone nearby.

"I was treated for food poisoning or told it was my gall bladder acting up," Valentine said. "Finally, after extensive internal testing I was sent to an allergy specialist who made the diagnosis." Valentine was suffering from a tick-borne disease - and not just one. Feasting ticks had delivered varied doses of suffering over the years. The allergist determined she was afflicted with ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Continue reading the full article written by Ken Perrotte here.

Turkey Call: Attention To Preevention

Attention to Prevention

Avoid tick-borne illnesses this spring by taking a few premeditated measures.

It took more than 20 years and multiple ambulance rides before Brenda Valentine finally received an accurate diagnosis of the disease threatening her life in 2012. Seemingly random bouts of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, caused her blood pressure to drop precipitously, sometimes rendering her unconscious within two minutes.

The reaction is often a rapid immune response to something a person is allergic to such as peanuts, bee stings, shellfish and some medications. Along with decreased blood pressure, victims often have trouble breathing as airways narrow. Some victims develop rashes or become nauseous.

People susceptible to such reactions often keep an "EpiPen" nearby. The pens inject epinephrine. Anaphylaxis can be quickly fatal.

"In the beginning, I had serious rash, itching, breathing difficulties and intestinal distress," Valentine shared. "This progressed to full- blown anaphylaxis with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, epinephrin injections and scaring the crap out of anyone nearby.

"I was treated for food poisoning or told it was my gall bladder acting up," Valentine said. "Finally, after extensive internal testing I was sent to an allergy specialist who made the diagnosis." Valentine was suffering from a tick-borne disease - and not just one. Feasting ticks had delivered varied doses of suffering over the years. The allergist determined she was afflicted with ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Continue reading the full article written by Ken Perrotte here.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Podcast
Turkey Call
Turkey Call All Access is the Official Podcast of the Nation Wild Turkey Federation.‍
Media Mentions

Turkey Call: Attention To Preevention

Attention to Prevention

Avoid tick-borne illnesses this spring by taking a few premeditated measures.

It took more than 20 years and multiple ambulance rides before Brenda Valentine finally received an accurate diagnosis of the disease threatening her life in 2012. Seemingly random bouts of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, caused her blood pressure to drop precipitously, sometimes rendering her unconscious within two minutes.

The reaction is often a rapid immune response to something a person is allergic to such as peanuts, bee stings, shellfish and some medications. Along with decreased blood pressure, victims often have trouble breathing as airways narrow. Some victims develop rashes or become nauseous.

People susceptible to such reactions often keep an "EpiPen" nearby. The pens inject epinephrine. Anaphylaxis can be quickly fatal.

"In the beginning, I had serious rash, itching, breathing difficulties and intestinal distress," Valentine shared. "This progressed to full- blown anaphylaxis with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, epinephrin injections and scaring the crap out of anyone nearby.

"I was treated for food poisoning or told it was my gall bladder acting up," Valentine said. "Finally, after extensive internal testing I was sent to an allergy specialist who made the diagnosis." Valentine was suffering from a tick-borne disease - and not just one. Feasting ticks had delivered varied doses of suffering over the years. The allergist determined she was afflicted with ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Continue reading the full article written by Ken Perrotte here.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Podcast
Turkey Call
Turkey Call All Access is the Official Podcast of the Nation Wild Turkey Federation.‍
Media Mentions
browse all articles
Here at Sawyer
January 22, 2026
6 Min
Backpacker: The Complete Peakbagging Packing List
Read More

Media Mentions

Sawyer Squeeze + Cnoc VectoX 2L is responsible for all water filtration while packs are off, and the large reservoir enables cameling up.

Jaeger Shaw
Owner & Managing Editor

Media Mentions

The Sawyer Mini is the cheapest and one of the most lightweight water purifiers on this list.

Steph Dyson
Freelance Travel Writer

Media Mentions

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter – Ultralight, lifetime-warranty filter that removes bacteria and parasites.

Himiway Bike
Website
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory