But what actually is Lyme disease? What are the symptoms? And how is Lyme disease treated? We spoke to Dr Houda Ounnas, a GP atLyme disease is an infection caused by being bitten by a tick that is infected with a germ called Borrelia. Lyme disease progresses usually in three stages. The initial stage after the tick bite is usually characterised by a distinctive rash and flu-like symptoms, such as a temperature and muscle aches.
Ticks cannot jump, fly or be passed on from a human to human. Instead they climb on to passing humans from long grass or foliage. If an infected tick bites a human then the bacteria may be passed on.The bacteria then spreads into the blood and causes Lyme disease. That is why most people affected by Lyme disease are forestry or outdoor workers and holidaymakers to countryside areas where ticks are found.The first and most common symptom is a rash that spreads out from the site of the tick bite.
Unfortunately, the blood test might take time to become positive, because it is only as fast as your immune system detects and fights against the Lyme disease. So, if you have the symptoms, but the test is initially negative, your doctor is likely to repeat it in 4-6 weeks to check if it has become positive.A course of antibiotic medication will usually clear the infection.If possible, avoid areas where infected ticks live – particularly in the summer months.
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