Victoria Stellas, from Anglesey, experienced flu-like symptoms during a trip to the island of Syros in Greece in 2019. Upon returning home, she began suffering from nocturnal seizures. After initial hospital visits where her condition remained undiagnosed, Stellas underwent an MRI scan and was airlifted to Liverpool's Walton Centre. There, she was placed in an induced coma for 42 days.
Diagnosis and Lasting Effects
Doctors diagnosed Stellas with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a serious inflammation of the brain that can be fatal. The 51-year-old mother of one believes she contracted the illness from a tick bite, possibly at her brother-in-law's home where he keeps goats, which can attract ticks. The infection has significantly altered her life, resulting in ongoing memory loss and daily seizures for which she requires 18 tablets daily. Previously outgoing, Stellas now finds herself more reserved due to her condition.
Impact on Life and Career
The health complications stemming from the TBE diagnosis led Stellas to lose her jobs as a pub worker and a teaching assistant for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The entire ordeal, from initial hospitalization to post-treatment, spanned approximately six months. Stellas noted that the rarity of the infection and the potential lack of specialized experts initially hampered her diagnosis.