As global temperatures continue to rise, so does the population of bugs and ticks. According to a study conducted in the United States, the prevalence of tick-borne diseases has surged, tripling over the past 15 years.

While experts frequently advise wearing long pants and sleeves for protection, following this guidance can be challenging during the sweltering heat of summer. Staying indoors isn’t always practical either—after enduring a harsh winter, the allure of warm weather and sunshine often draws us outside.

However, it’s crucial to exercise caution. No one should have to endure what five-year-old Mason McNair experienced—a situation that, unfortunately, is more common than many realize and can sometimes lead to even graver outcomes.

Mason’s ordeal started during a fun day outdoors with his grandparents, exploring nature and enjoying their time together. Later that evening, while his grandmother was giving him a bath, she noticed a tick lodged in his navel.

She carefully removed the tick, but the spot remained red and swollen. Concerned, the family took Mason to a doctor who prescribed antibiotics. However, instead of improving, Mason’s condition deteriorated. He developed a rash, experienced a fever, and began suffering from stomach pains.

“It honestly just seemed like a heat rash,” recalls Danielle McNair, Mason’s mother. “We had spent the weekend outdoors, and the weather was very hot.”

However, the rash quickly worsened, spreading across large areas of Mason’s body. Despite their growing concern, the family doctor reassured them that there was no cause for alarm.

The red spots were initially dismissed as a delayed reaction to the antibiotics Mason had been prescribed.

Unsatisfied with this explanation, Danielle McNair decided to take matters into her own hands. “I wasn’t convinced by the doctor’s response, so I began researching online and reached out to my sister, who is a veterinarian,” she shared with USA Today.

Ultimately, the concerned mother insisted that the doctor investigate the possibility of a tick-borne illness, certain her son was suffering from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF).

Ticks are known to transmit various diseases, including borrelia and TBE, but they can also carry RMSF—a bacterial infection with symptoms similar to borrelia. Unfortunately, Danielle’s instincts were correct, and young Mason had indeed contracted RMSF.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) presents with symptoms such as fever, headache, and a rash—all of which aligned perfectly with Mason’s condition.

Unfortunately, RMSF is less well-known than diseases like borrelia or TBE, leading many to overlook or misinterpret its symptoms.

Despite its name, RMSF isn’t confined to mountainous regions; it has been reported in various parts of the United States and across the globe. Those affected require a specific type of antibiotic treatment to combat the infection effectively.

Determined to prevent others from enduring the same ordeal, Danielle is now sharing her and Mason’s story to raise awareness about this potentially life-threatening disease.

“If I hadn’t done my own research and pushed for answers, we’d be facing a completely different outcome with my son—and that’s terrifying,” Danielle McNair admits.

Her persistence was crucial in uncovering the truth behind Mason’s illness. Tragically, not every case ends as positively. In June 2017, a 2-year-old girl lost her life to the same disease after doctors failed to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Dr. Paige Armstrong, a Medical Epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explains that children often exhibit atypical symptoms when they contract this illness, making misdiagnoses more common.

This is why Danielle is committed to spreading awareness. “I want parents to feel empowered to advocate for their children. Use your voice, do your own research, and remember that doctors are human—they don’t know everything,” she urges.

Fortunately, Mason has made a full recovery, a testament to Danielle’s determination to seek the right diagnosis before it was too late.

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