/https%3a%2f%2farc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-guernseypress-mna.s3.amazonaws.com%2fpublic%2fRHZ7KYRYSREONFP4JI3A47YS44.jpg)
[ad_1]
There has been a significant increase in the number of Lyme disease cases in the UK, a study of GP records suggesting that the disease could be three times more common than the current annual estimate.
Here is some additional information about the condition.
– What causes Lyme disease?
The infection is transmitted to humans if they are bitten by an infected tick. These tiny, spider-like creatures are found in forests and heathlands in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe and North America.
Anyone who is bitten by a tick will not be infected with Lyme disease, as only a small proportion carries the bacteria that causes the disease. A tick bite can only cause Lyme disease in humans if the tick has already bitten an infected animal.
![Matt Dawson "data-title =" Matt Dawson's Health "data-copyright-holder =" Wired "data-copyright-notice =" Wired / PA images "data-credit =" Adam Davy "data-usage-terms =" FILE PHOTO /production/456df37a52c94703e448df2b87fc5aa2Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTM2Mzk4NzIy/2.37826349.jpg?w=436 436w, 872w https://image.badets.pressbadociation.io/v2/image/production/456df37a52c94703e448df2b87fc5aa2Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTM2Mzk4NzIy/2.37826349.jpg?w=872 "height =" (max- width: 767px) 89vw, (maximum width: 1000px) 54vw, (maximum width: 1071px) 543px, 580px "/>
<figcaption>Matt Dawson, former captain of the English rugby team, contracted Lyme disease after being stung by a tick (Adam Davy / PA)</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p>Many people with early symptoms of Lyme disease develop a red circular rash around a tick bite, often described as resembling a bubble on a dartboard. The rash can appear up to three months after being stung and usually lasts for several weeks. Most rashes appear within the first four weeks after being stung.</p>
<p>Not everyone will be prone to a rash and some will exhibit flu-like symptoms in the early stages, such as a high temperature or a feeling of heat and chills, as well as headaches, pain muscle and joint, fatigue and loss of energy.</p>
<p>Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose because people may experience common and nonspecific symptoms, such as a headache or fever, and may not notice or remember a tick bite. But if it is not treated, it can lead to conditions such as meningitis or heart failure.</p>
<p><strong>– How is he diagnosed and treated?</strong></p>
<p>Anyone who thinks they have Lyme disease should consult their general practitioner, who can perform two types of blood tests to confirm or rule this disease.</p>
<p>If confirmed, patients will receive antibiotic treatment for three weeks. Most people will be better, although it may take several months. A small proportion will continue to have symptoms, such as fatigue, body aches, and loss of energy, lasting for many years.</p>
<p><strong>– What precautions can be taken to prevent it?</strong></p>
<p>Southern England and the Scottish Highlands have been designated as high risk areas for Lyme disease. Exmoor, the New Forest and other rural areas of Hampshire, the South Downs, parts of Wiltshire and Berkshire, parts of Surrey and West Susbad, the Norfolk Thetford Forest, the Lake District, the North York Moors and the Scottish Highlands are all known to have a particularly high population of ticks.</p>
<p>Covering bare skin by walking outdoors, using insect repellent, staying on trails and wearing light clothing, so that ticks are easier to spot and brush, are all ways to reduce the risk of biting. .</p>
<p><strong>– Is it common?</strong></p>
<p>It is estimated that there are 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of Lyme disease in England and Wales each year.</p>
<p>Researchers from the United Kingdom and Germany examined a database on primary care containing anonymized records of 8.4 million people registered with a general practitioner between 2001 and 2012, either about 8% of the general population.</p>
<p>Some 4,083 cases of Lyme disease were detected among 4,025 patients.</p>
<p>Of these, 1,702 (41.7%) had "clinically diagnosed" Lyme disease, 1,913 (46.9%) had "suspected treatment" for Lyme disease and 468 (11.5%) had "Possible treatment" of Lyme disease.</p>
<p>They found that the total annual number of registered cases increased by almost ten times during the period, from 60 to 595, suggesting a British estimate of 7,738 cases in 2012.</p>
<p>If figures continue to rise after 2012 at a similar pace, they think the UK could see more than 8,000 cases this year.</p>
</p></div>
</pre>
</pre>
[ad_2]
<br /><a href=](http://image.badets.pressbadociation.io/v2/image/production/456df37a52c94703e448df2b87fc5aa2Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTM2Mzk4NzIy/2.37826349.jpg?w=640)
Source link
