The bug’s curse: How a tiny flying thing set off a chain reaction of health issues

I sit here with fuzzy vision, a pounding headache and pain radiating from my teeth, all caused by a little flying sucker that I never saw coming. And it could happen to anyone.

My eye just before I saw the doctor.

If you’re going outdoors today, you better protect your eyes. If you’re going outdoors today, a tiny little bug could ruin your life.

Melodramatic?

Yes, perhaps a little. But as I sit here right now with fuzzy vision, a pounding headache and pain radiating from my teeth, I feel it’s a least somewhat warranted.

My nightmare began last Thursday evening. After two days camping at Rainbow Beach soaking up the sun and surf, we took a tree change and met my family at Kandanga to spend a couple of days at a lovely creekside spot. Life was good.

The idealistic scene of the crime - a creekside campsite at Kandanga in the picturesque Mary Valley.

That night, as we all stood around laughing and chatting, a bug flew into my eye.

I didn’t see it, but knew what it was immediately because this has happened to me a good four or four times over the past few years.

I ran for a bottle of water (tap water from the council fill point in Rainbow Beach, in case you’re wondering) and washed it out, like I’ve done every other time. Many jokes ensued about how terrible my luck is.

Fifth child stung by suspected irukandji on Fraser Island

Friday morning my eye was still slightly uncomfortable, but it improved throughout the morning and was feeling fine by lunch. That night though, it suddenly became uncomfortable again, which we assumed was thanks to an eyelash my boyfriend could see floating in my eye (also a regular occurrence), so we flushed it out with warm salty water and I went to bed feeling much better.

When I woke on Saturday though, my eyelids were full of crusty “sleep”, so I washed my eye out with warm, salty water again. I also did a search for local pharmacies, but unfortunately there were all closed.

We packed up, said our goodbyes, and started making our way home just after lunch.

A little later, I realised my eye was starting to feel really uncomfortable, but this time my vision was a bit blurry, and when I looked in the mirror, it was glassy, bloodshot and puffy.

Home owners spurn buyback offers in flood zones

We stopped at a pharmacy and I was met with horrified looks and pleas that I go see a doctor. I grabbed an eye wash to try and buy myself some relief, then headed for my local emergency GP clinic.

The doctor informed me I had a pretty nasty infection and gave me a script for a course of antibiotic eye drops to take for three days. I breathed a sigh of relief. The end was in sight!

If only.

My eyes the day after I started the antibiotics.

The next morning when I woke, my throat felt like it was full of razor blades.

When the house call doctor arrived he confirmed my fears; the infection from my eye had likely spread down into my upper respiratory system, as they are all interconnected. More antibiotics!

Surely this was the end, right?

Wrong.

Fast forward to Tuesday morning and I woke to a dull pain in my upper teeth. I touched my cheek, recoiled in pain and grabbed my phone.

“Can an upper respiratory infection cause tooth pain?”.

Dr Google confirmed it; the swelling in my sinuses was now putting pressure on my teeth. Fantastic!

Today is Wednesday; nearly a full week since bug-gate.

My sore throat is long gone, but my left eye is still a little blurry, so I’ll be booking a visit to the optometrist in the coming days.

The pain in my jaw and teeth has reduced, but is still there and eating hurts.

My head feels like it’s full of cotton wool and I am struggling to think straight.

I think I might take to wearing swimming goggles every time I set foot out my front door from now on.