Rhiannon Ingle
Many of us have unfortunately suffered with mozzy bites over the years and while they're usually harmful - albeit incredibly annoying - most bites are nothing too serious.
However, that was far from the case for one mum who was left 'completely incapacitated overnight' from a single mosquito bite.
Tara Rogers, who hails from Queensland, Australia, opened up about the ordeal and the 'indescribable pain' she endured.
Advert
It all started two weeks back when Tara woke up in her bed with a rash.
She initially thought the rash was caused by fleas from her cat as it looked like 'bites down her whole legs'.
When the rash didn't go away that day, Tara went to the doctor where she was given an antihistamine.
She then got an early night and slept for a full 12 hours only to find that when she awoke the next day, her health had taken a turn for the worse.
Speaking to 7NEWS about the 'scary' situation, the woman recalled: "I woke up the next morning and could not walk.
"I was in indescribable pain.
"It just felt like my ankle bone was grinding on the bone, like there was nothing there cushioning it."
Tara then went to the hospital where medical staff diagnosed her with mosquito-borne Ross River virus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ross River virus disease is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.
The official website states: "Most people who get Ross River virus do not feel sick. For those who do get sick, symptoms include joint pain and swelling, muscle pain, fever, tiredness, and rash.
"Most patients recover within a few weeks, but some people experience joint pain, joint stiffness, or tiredness for many months."
The mum-of-one continued: "The scary part is the longevity of the symptoms."
Two weeks after first becoming infected with the virus, the worst of Tara's symptoms went down, but some still remain.
She said: "I wouldn’t, honestly, wish this on my worst enemy.
"I had gone from running up the stairs, playing squash and being really physically active to just completely incapacitated overnight.
"Going from sitting to standing was absolutely excruciating. I couldn’t do any daily living tasks."
Tara added: "I’m just trying to rest, which doesn’t come easily to me — watching TV and doing nothing.
"I can now walk without crutches and without my daughter pushing me around on the office chair.
"But the symptoms — I’m a little bit concerned about how long they have gone on for.
"I still have a considerable limp, and it’s incredibly painful to just do the basics."