It's that time of year again, bug season. As the citizens of Merritt put on their bug spray and get out their fly swatters, one little critter seems to be forgotten: the wood tick.

Wood ticks are well known carriers of Lyme disease, which can cause symptoms ranging from chills and fever to paralysis.

Local mother Diana Boston learned about these symptoms the hard way. Boston's eight-year-old son was enjoying an afternoon playing at Merritt Central Elementary School when he was bitten on the top of his head by a tick. " He woke up, and couldn't walk," says Boston.

It had been five days since the initial bite, when Mason Moffat, a lively young boy, had lost the use of his legs and felt numbness in both of his fingers and toes. Mason then received medical attention at the Nicola Valley Medical Center, where he was given medication and an overnight watch.

"The boy had tick paralysis, which is not from an infectious cause," said Dr. Rob Parker of Interior Health. "The symptoms arise because of a toxin in the tick's saliva, and children are of small enough weight to eventually get the weakness symptoms if the tick goes undiscovered for long enough. Once the tick is removed, people with symptoms generally recover quite quickly."

"The doctor said if we had waited any longer, he may never have regained the ability to walk," said Boston.

It has been approximately two weeks since the initial incident and Mason is back to his old self, though a little more cautious when it comes to his playtime. When asked if she had any advice for parents in the area, Boston offered, "It doesn't matter if your child is out playing for five minutes or five hours; check them thoroughly when they come inside."

Further tips for bite prevention are the use of commercial bug spray, wearing full-length clothing, and avoiding wooded areas. For more information on tick prevention and bite care, please contact your family doctor or visit the HealthlinkBC website: www.healthlinkbc.ca.