It often (although not always) starts as a rash, but Lyme disease can also lead to headaches, joint pain, flu-like symptoms and, in the longer term, meningitis, Bell’s palsy and impaired muscle movement.
Overview
What is Lyme disease?
It’s a bacterial infection, the first sign of which is often (although not always) a growing ‘bullseye’ rash.
How do you catch Lyme disease?
Usually Lyme disease is spread via a bite from infected ticks that live in long grasses and woodland, and which can be picked up on pet hair.
What are the other symptoms of Lyme disease
Some symptoms can take weeks or even months to appear. They may include headaches, joint pain (often in the knees) and flu like symptoms. Complications can include meningitis, Bell’s palsy (a temporary paralysis), fatigue and muscle weakness.
How do I get tested?
Book a simple blood test now.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is an infection caused by the Borrelia bacteria. It is spread by infected ticks that live in dense woodland or long grasses. Walking in or living close by such areas increases your chances of being bitten. As ticks can often cling to pet fur, it’s also possible to be bitten by a tick when grooming your pet.
Not all ticks are infected – only those which have previously bitten an infected animal.
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
Virtually all tick bites will leave a small red, raised lump. This is not a sign of Lyme disease.
However, within a few days of being bitten – and up to a month afterwards - you may notice an expanding ‘bullseye’-style rash at the site of the bite. It’s not usually painful or itchy, but it can grow considerably. You may also experience flu-like symptoms (aching joints, fever, headaches etc).
Not all cases of Lyme diseases result in a rash, however, and not all Lyme-disease rashes are bullseye shaped. Complicating things further, other symptoms can take weeks or even months to appear. These may include:
- Bullseye rashes elsewhere on your body
- Painful joints (especially the knees)
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Meningitis
- Bell’s palsy (temporary paralysis)
How can this test help me?
Whilst most of these symptoms are rare, they can be difficult to diagnose specifically as Lyme disease, especially if the tell-tale rash is absent. Chronic fatigue, for example, could also be attributed to depression, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia and more.
This blood test can aid a correct diagnosis.
What do the test results mean?
The test looks for the presence of two types of antibodies within your system. The presence of none, one or both antibody types can indicate whether you have Lyme disease, and how recent the infection is.
Depending on the type of antibodies present, it may also indicate temporary immunity (lasting 6-9 years) against that specific strain of Lyme disease bacteria.
How do I get tested?
To get tested please contact Better2Know your Body on the number above or click book now.