Enfield pensioner Susan Hughes who moved to Spain killed by sandfly bite

11:10am Friday 2nd December 2011 in Top Stories

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AN Enfield hotelier who moved to Spain with her husband to enjoy a retirement has died after contracting a deadly disease from a sandfly.

Susan Hughes, 67, who moved to Malaga with husband Tony in 2004, died of black fever – a parasitic disease extremely rare in the UK – which she got in August through the saliva of the fly which had bitten her.

After being rushed to hospital, doctors gave her a blood transfusion but were unable to save her. The mother-of-two passed away on September 11.

She developed black blotches on her arms and chest and scabs on the roof of her mouth – typical symptoms of the deadly disease, which is the second-biggest parasitic killer in the world, after malaria.

Mr Hughes said that his wife’s immune system was vulnerable because of a liver transplant she had in 1983 – she had been given just six weeks to live before having the operation.

He said: “They tried everything but she couldn’t fight it because her immune system was low from the liver transplant.

“It’s just a shame we came to Spain for a good life, and yet if we’d stayed in the UK she’d have still been alive.

“She did have a chance to enjoy it and we had a good life together – it’s just a shame it was so short.”

The couple met in Wolverhampton in 1983, just months before she had the liver operation that was to grant her 28 extra years of life.

After the operation the couple moved to Wales and ran a hotel in Llandudno, Wales, until deciding to take early retirement in Spain – spending two years living in a caravan while their house in Malaga was built.

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Enfield pensioner Susan Hughes who moved to Spain killed by sandfly bite

11:10am Friday 2nd December 2011 in Top Stories

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

AN Enfield hotelier who moved to Spain with her husband to enjoy a retirement has died after contracting a deadly disease from a sandfly.

Susan Hughes, 67, who moved to Malaga with husband Tony in 2004, died of black fever – a parasitic disease extremely rare in the UK – which she got in August through the saliva of the fly which had bitten her.

after being rushed to hospital, doctors gave her a blood transfusion but were unable to save her. the mother-of-two passed away on September 11.

she developed black blotches on her arms and chest and scabs on the roof of her mouth – typical symptoms of the deadly disease, which is the second-biggest parasitic killer in the world, after malaria.

Mr Hughes said that his wife’s immune system was vulnerable because of a liver transplant she had in 1983 – she had been given just six weeks to live before having the operation.

He said: “They tried everything but she couldn’t fight it because her immune system was low from the liver transplant.

“It’s just a shame we came to Spain for a good life, and yet if we’d stayed in the UK she’d have still been alive.

“She did have a chance to enjoy it and we had a good life together – it’s just a shame it was so short.”

the couple met in Wolverhampton in 1983, just months before she had the liver operation that was to grant her 28 extra years of life.

after the operation the couple moved to Wales and ran a hotel in Llandudno, Wales, until deciding to take early retirement in Spain – spending two years living in a caravan while their house in Malaga was built.

Read these Top stories stories

How can we know the difference between symptoms of amnesia and memory lapses and forgetfulness ordinary? Is there a distinction between amnesia and memory problems that we face as we age? while there are some differences there are many things in common.

We’ve all had moments when we forget something or have trouble remembering information. sometimes tiredness or stress can disrupt memory momentarily. The older we get more than attribute it to old age. However, rarely assume that our memory problems or forgetfulness are the signs of amnesia, even if we are living in our retirement years.

So why open up this discussion of the symptoms of amnesia in relation to aging? Is there anything I should be worried in regard to aging and amnesia? The answer may be yes.

As we age, we run the risk of several mental disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. A form of amnesia may actually be a symptom that may occur outside of one of these disorders and encourage us to seek medical help. Know the signs of amnesia may be important to be able to detect it in ourselves or our loved ones.

Amnesia Symptoms differ from lapses of memory and oblivion in different ways. The first difference is that memory lapses or forgetfulness in general tend to be minor or short-lived. we forget that we got to the room to find the keys, but we remember when we got to the door or back to the kitchen. The amnesia is a complete loss of memory in which to forget they even have the keys or they may never remember that we were looking for them. Amnesia of age-related diseases tend to have a more lasting effect on short-term memory. The person begins to forget what just happened or that a particular question. They insist that it never happened or never said when confronted about it.

One of the other signs of amnesia is that certain memories are locked up completely and can not be accessed. although sometimes this is temporary as in the case of stress-related amnesia, when age-related disease is the cause then the loss tends to be permanent.

As they advance in age-related diseases other symptoms of amnesia to be shown is that the person can no longer remember personal or family memories, such as the name of a loved one. The more advanced the disease becomes more long-term memory are lost.

As is the case of more severe forms of amnesia, when age-related diseases affect a large part of the brain, the symptoms of amnesia go so far as to delete the character and identity. The person forgets who they are and their personality will change. They often become depressed or antisocial, and can say that something is wrong but can not determine what exactly. As part of your brain are affected may experience mood swings for no apparent reason, or simply removed.

So while everyone can have memory lapses from time to time, amnesia is a more severe memory impairment. it is important to understand the symptoms of amnesia, as they may be a sign of age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s. if you have problems to remember as we have discussed either in a loved one or yourself, seek medical attention.

Treatment can slow the progression of memory loss or even stop it. certain medications available that can help, however, be sure to ask about side effects. Also people are using natural supplements as increasingly researchers are finding that they can be equally effective in the fight against brain disorders and memory loss as prescription drugs. Seek advice from a medical expert with expertise in natural resources before trying to incorporate into your diet. The earlier fight against a disease related to cognitive age, the better your success.

Dear Abby: everyone knows the economy has hit hard times and, as a result, more people are working past the age of retirement. This means some in the workplace are beginning to deal with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related illnesses.

“Anita” is in her late 60s and we are certain she is showing symptoms of dementia. She has worked in our office about three years, after working in this field for more than 30 years elsewhere. but if you saw her in our office today, you would think it was her first week — if not her first day.

Anita makes multiple mistakes every day, then sits at her desk and cries her eyes out. our supervisor insists there is nothing he or HR can do in regards to talking gently to her because she could sue the company.

I’m sorry Anita is suffering, but must we let her deteriorate for three more years in our office? What’s the right thing to do for everyone involved? — Stumped In California

Dear Stumped: I discussed your question with Nancy Bertrando, a respected California employment law specialist, who told me: “If a person is unable to perform the essential functions of her job — regardless of the reason — an employer does not have the obligation to keep the person in that position.

However, regardless of whether your supervisor or HR thinks it is futile, Anita should be counseled and given the opportunity to fix the problem — if, indeed, it is fixable.”

Dear Abby: My husband runs an auto body shop and has always warned me to be extra careful in parking lots — “People don’t pay attention.

They drive too fast. Everyone’s always in a hurry,” etc. well, tomorrow I am going to the memorial service for a dear friend, “Mara.” She was only 46.

While Mara was putting her granddaughter into a stroller, they were hit. A woman driving too fast hit a car backing out of a parking space, careened off that car and ran over Mara.

A car can be as lethal as a gun. I didn’t “get it” before, but now I do. because of the reckless actions of a complete stranger, you can kiss your husband goodbye, go shopping and never return! I hope that hearing about this nightmare helps others. — Missing The Sister of My Heart

Dear Missing: Please know how sorry I am about the tragic death of your friend. I cannot stress enough how important it is to remain fully present while behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Our streets and highways are filled with distractions, as are our cars — billboards, cell phones, stereo buttons, the GPS, etc. I am sure the woman who struck Mara and her grandchild will never get over the fact that she took one life and could have taken another.

Readers, I hope you will review this woman’s letter and remember it the next time you’re “in a hurry.” it could save a life.

Write to Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.