Awareness about Lyme Disease is (very) slowly starting to creep on to the agenda. Now, the experts at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have issued warnings about UK areas, namely the south of England and Scottish Highlands, which are particularly high risk regions.
High risk tick areas include the Scottish Highlands, the New Forest, the South Downs, Exmoor, the Lake District, and the North York Moors. Ticks are also common in Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey, West Sussex and Norfolk. The health body also reiterate that infection can happen outside of these areas, too.
NICE also warned that data about Lyme Disease is incomplete and have called for a large study in to the disease within the UK. It also suggests that the number of cases each year (around 2,000-3,000) are underestimated because doctors and hospital clinicians are not required to report the number of cases they diagnose.
According to New Scientist, Saul Faust from the University of Southampton who worked on NICE’s guidelines said:
“Lyme disease may be difficult to diagnose as people can have common and unspecific symptoms, like a headache or fever, and they may not notice or remember a tick bite… Our draft guidance will give GPs and hospital doctors clear advice on how to diagnose if they think Lyme disease is a possibility.”
The condition is caused by a spirochaetal bacteria. According to Lyme Disease UK: “It is endemic in many parts of the United Kingdom, particularly in woodland or heath-land areas as well as urban parks and gardens.” The support networks says that symptoms can start with the characteristic bull’s-eye rash, “but the rash can also be atypical and more irregular.” It adds: “The initial symptoms of Lyme disease include flu-like symptoms, perhaps with a fever, sore muscles, photo-phobia, and a stiff neck.”
Unfortunately, there is no gold-standard test for Lyme Disease. Use insect repellent and wear long-sleeved tops and trousers tucked into socks if you’re walking in an area known for ticks. Carry a tick removal device and use the correct technique to remove ticks.
If you notice a ‘bulls-eye’ rash or experience flu-like symptoms after an insect bite, see your GP straight away.
Source: http://bit.ly/2xvsmeg
