We have stayed at this very inexpensive motel several times. During the holiday, December 2007, we booked a week. A couple days after we went home, my friend and I began developing lesions beginning with our feet and progressing throughout our bodies. We went to the hospital where they diagnosed the parasites as scabies (contagious itch or mange especially with exudative crusts that is caused by parasitic mites), together with tinnea pedius (athletes foot). We returned to the manager of the motel to notify her that the room had parasites, and to request a refund to defray medical costs. She refused, saying that we had no proof that the documented parasites were contracted there. (Coincidentally, however, staff at the motel did acknowledge that the room we had was now closed for “repairs”).

The parasites are extremely annoying, not to mention embarrassing. I wonder how many others were infected before they closed the room. If denial was not management’s first response, I wonder if my friend and I might have been spared this pain and embarrassment. Management must have received other complaints before ours to prompt the room closure.

Fortunately my friend and I have no spouses to have to explain this to. I wonder how many others who have been infected have been as fortunate.