kickininkorea
12-15-2006, 04:53 PM
Here's a bit of a warning to pass along. Tsutsugamushi (yep, it's from Japan) is a tick and mite borne illness that is huge in Korea, particularly in the fall. About 10,000 people a year get it. I got it. It sucks!
First you get tired (like sleeping 13-17 hours a day tired), the you get what you think is a bad cold. Then you get a fever and KILLER headaches. Then you get dizzy, and getting from one room to another requires hanging on to walls. And sore muscles, like you just finished a 5-12 and you were holding on for your life. Then you get red spots. All over. They don't itch and they aren't raised, but you'll think of every 'pox' you've ever heard of. After that, I'm glad to say I don't know what happens. I finally went to Young Nam Uni. Hosp and they were able to diagnose it and get me started on antibiotics asap. The bad news is that while I'm back on my feet, I am still (a month and a half later) not really back to climbing or other exercise. Still tired, still have some soreness in my muscles.
I thought a bunch of outdoor types might like to know that these things exist and to look out for it. Don't let it daunt you though... I've been hiking and climbing in Korea for 10 years and this is my first run-in with anything like this.
Happy Climbing.
Jordan
First you get tired (like sleeping 13-17 hours a day tired), the you get what you think is a bad cold. Then you get a fever and KILLER headaches. Then you get dizzy, and getting from one room to another requires hanging on to walls. And sore muscles, like you just finished a 5-12 and you were holding on for your life. Then you get red spots. All over. They don't itch and they aren't raised, but you'll think of every 'pox' you've ever heard of. After that, I'm glad to say I don't know what happens. I finally went to Young Nam Uni. Hosp and they were able to diagnose it and get me started on antibiotics asap. The bad news is that while I'm back on my feet, I am still (a month and a half later) not really back to climbing or other exercise. Still tired, still have some soreness in my muscles.
I thought a bunch of outdoor types might like to know that these things exist and to look out for it. Don't let it daunt you though... I've been hiking and climbing in Korea for 10 years and this is my first run-in with anything like this.
Happy Climbing.
Jordan