As global temperatures continue to rise year after year, so too does the population of insects and ticks — and with them, the risks to our health.
According to one American study, tick-borne illnesses have tripled over the past 15 years, highlighting a growing concern across the country.
Despite repeated warnings from health experts to cover up with long pants and sleeves, it’s hard to follow that advice in the sweltering heat of summer. And let’s be honest — after enduring long, cold winters, few of us are willing to stay inside when the sun finally comes out.
Still, it’s important to remain cautious.
No one should have to go through what five-year-old Mason McNair did. Sadly, his story is more common than many realize — and in some cases, the outcome can be far more serious.
Share this with others to help spread awareness.
It all began when Mason was out enjoying a day in nature with his grandparents. The weather was beautiful, and the outing seemed perfectly harmless — until they got home.
While giving Mason a bath later that evening, his grandmother noticed something troubling: a tick embedded in his navel.
She carefully removed it, thinking she had caught it in time. But the area remained red and swollen. Out of caution, Mason’s family brought him to a doctor, who prescribed antibiotics.
Unfortunately, things quickly took a turn for the worse.
Mason began developing a rash, spiking a fever, and complaining of stomach pain. What seemed like a minor incident soon spiraled into something far more serious.
“At first, it really just looked like heat rash. We had been outside that weekend, and it was really hot,” recalls Danielle McNair, Mason’s mother.
But what seemed like a harmless reaction to the heat quickly escalated.
The rash began to spread — fast — covering large areas of Mason’s body. Alarmed, the family returned to their doctor, only to be told there was nothing to worry about.
Despite their growing concern, they were reassured that it was likely a mild reaction and that the symptoms would subside.
But deep down, Danielle knew something wasn’t right.
The red spots were thought to be a delayed response to the antibiotic treatment.
“I wasn’t satisfied with the answer. I started to do my online search. I called my sister, who is a veterinarian,” Danielle told USA Today.
In the end, Danielle’s instincts took over.
Refusing to accept vague reassurances any longer, the worried mother demanded that the doctor take a closer look — and specifically investigate whether her son had contracted a tick-borne illness.
Danielle was convinced Mason had Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) — a potentially deadly disease that, like Lyme disease (borrelia), can be transmitted through tick bites.
While most people associate ticks with Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), few realize they can also carry RMSF, a bacterial infection that can escalate quickly if not treated promptly. Early symptoms often mimic less serious conditions, making it dangerously easy to overlook.
Thanks to Danielle’s persistence, Mason finally got the attention — and diagnosis — he needed.
And it was exactly that which poor Mason had contracted.
The symptoms were textbook: fever, headache, and a spreading rash — all consistent with Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Yet because RMSF isn’t as well-known as Lyme disease or TBE, it often flies under the radar. This lack of awareness can lead to delayed diagnoses — and in some cases, life-threatening consequences.
Despite its name, Rocky Mountain spotted fever isn’t limited to mountainous regions. It has been reported in multiple parts of the United States and even in areas around the world, making it a broader threat than many realize.
The condition requires prompt treatment with specific antibiotics, and without early intervention, it can escalate quickly.
Now, Danielle is speaking out — sharing Mason’s terrifying experience in hopes of raising awareness about this often-overlooked tick-borne illness. Her message is clear: trust your instincts, and never dismiss the signs.
Mother’s Instinct Saves Son from Potentially Deadly Tick-Borne Illness
“If I hadn’t done my own research and continued to push it, we would be in a completely different situation with my son. And that is scary. That is so scary,” says Danielle McNair.
It’s a chilling thought — but one that underscores just how crucial her determination was.
Thanks to Danielle’s persistence, her son Mason received the correct diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and the life-saving treatment he needed. But not every child is as fortunate.
In June 2017, a 2-year-old girl tragically died of the same disease after doctors failed to diagnose her in time. The case shocked many and highlighted how easy it is for RMSF to be missed — especially in young children.
According to Dr. Paige Armstrong, Medical Epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children often exhibit atypical symptoms of RMSF, which can make diagnosis especially challenging.
“Protect your child.”
That’s the message Danielle now wants every parent to hear. She’s speaking out in hopes that her family’s frightening ordeal can serve as a warning — and a call to action.
“I want to empower parents to always, always be an advocate for your child. Use your own voice, definitely do your own research,” she says. “Doctors are human, too. That doesn’t mean they know every single thing.”
Today, Mason is healthy and fully recovered — a testament to one mother’s unwavering intuition and refusal to give up.
