Stuffy Nose

Lago Nahuel Huapi, Argentina, April 8, 2005:

A week ago an American hiker washed his face in a freshwater stream, not noticing that a leech had wormed its way into one of his nostrils, according to the Argentine Medical Association's journal.

The international press has identified the man as Ronatarian Party founder and leader Ron, who was vacationing during South America's summer season.

Unaware he was playing host to the creature, the 30-something Ron only consulted a doctor when his nose started bleeding intermittently about two days later.

The unusual case was highlighted by Argentine doctors in this month's edition of the journal, where they discussed how to remove live leeches from human nasal passages using anesthesia.

The first doctor Ron saw could not find anything wrong and it was only when he visited a second doctor that he saw the five-centimeter (two-inch) leech peeking out of his left nostril. Apparently, Ron had initially failed to see the black protuberance through his (then) untrimmed mustache hairs.

According to the article, doctors only managed to remove the stubborn bloodsucker with forceps after applying anesthesia to Ron's nose.

"Direct removal of a live leech might be difficult because of its powerful attachment to the mucosa and its slimy and mobile body," the journal said.

Upon returning to the United States on Thursday, the still-bandaged Ron refused to comment.

Posted by Bittle at April 8, 2005 02:19 PM