October 14th 2024.
Paisley Peach, a 32-year-old burlesque performer and events producer from Boulder, Colorado, had been backpacking around Thailand with her husband, Julian De Prince, for the month of September 2023. They wanted to travel as much as possible before starting a family. However, their trip took a turn for the worse when Paisley was bitten by a swarm of mosquitoes and fell seriously ill.
It all started when the couple attended a rave on the island of Ko Pha Ngan. Paisley, who had armed herself with tea tree oil to ward off the pesky insects, ended the night covered in bug bites. Two weeks into their trip, both Paisley and Julian woke up with high fevers, leading them to believe they were both bitten by the same mosquito.
Paisley's situation quickly worsened, and she found herself in excruciating pain and barely able to see straight. She recalls being terrified and feeling like she was about to die. After taking a COVID test, which came back negative, she and Julian decided to leave their hostel and find a more isolated accommodation to recover. They ended up renting a remote bungalow on Airbnb, which could only be accessed by water taxi.
As Julian began to slowly recover, Paisley's condition continued to deteriorate. She was experiencing severe body aches, headaches, and vomiting every time she tried to drink water. Despite her symptoms, she was hesitant to seek medical help due to her fear of chemicals in bug spray. However, her husband convinced her to go to the hospital when she collapsed in the bathroom and lost consciousness.
At the hospital, Paisley was diagnosed with dengue fever, a viral infection spread by mosquitoes. The doctors also informed her that her blood platelet count was dangerously low, putting her at risk for excessive bleeding. She was given constant IV drips and had blood tests every four hours. After three days, she was discharged but still had to continue her recovery at a nearby hostel.
Looking back, Paisley regrets not wearing bug spray and instead opting for tea tree oil. She admits to being afraid of the chemicals in bug spray but now realizes the importance of wearing it and getting vaccinated when traveling to areas with mosquito-borne illnesses.
Now, Paisley is slowly recovering and feeling almost back to her normal self. She urges others not to make the same mistake she did and to always take precautions when traveling to prevent serious illnesses like dengue fever. She hopes her experience serves as a lesson to others and encourages everyone to prioritize their health and safety while exploring new places.
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