A Family’s Warning After a Sudden, Devastating Tick-Borne Illness

Kevin Boyce’s decline happened with heartbreaking speed. What he thought was a persistent flu in April 2024 soon became something far more concerning. His headaches intensified to the point of being debilitating. Nausea and vomiting left him unable to keep even small amounts of food down. His family noticed that he was having increasing trouble concentrating and staying alert. Within days, he needed urgent medical care.

Doctors ran a wide range of tests, looking for any clue that could explain the sudden escalation of symptoms. When the diagnosis finally came, it revealed a rare but aggressive tick-related illness known as Powassan virus.

This infection affects the brain and can progress quickly, placing enormous strain on the body. In Kevin’s case, the swelling and neurological impact were overwhelming. Despite dedicated medical support, his condition continued to worsen, and he passed away only a few weeks later. For his family, the rapid progression was almost impossible to comprehend.

In the months afterward, those who loved him found themselves returning again and again to the same thought: if more people knew what a small tick could carry, perhaps another family might be spared the same pain.

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