Be lyme aware this summer time

What is Lyme?

One of the fastest growing vector borne diseases worldwide. It is a bacterial disease (borrelia) transmitted by ticks, mosquitos, lice etc. There are over 300 symptoms for Lyme. It can affect every organ/system in the body. Typically, you will get more than one disease from a single bite (anaplasma, babesia etc). The resulting diseases are equally as devastating on the body as Lyme. Where is Lyme found?

Every county in Ireland. Lyme is found in infected tickets that are carried by mice, birds, sheep, pets, allowing dispersion of disease throughout the country. Deer are not the only animal to carry infected ticks. Ticks and other infected insects can also live in woods, long grass and leaves.

Who gets Lyme?

Lyme does not discriminate. Children are at the highest risk.

How to treat Lyme?

Acute infection (short term) less than six weeks - immediate antibiotics.

Chronic infection (long term, more than six weeks) - More complex due to multi-system involvement.

Diet/lifestyle changes can have a positive impact for many people along with more intensive treatment.

Tips for bite prevention

Use repellent, tuck in trousers, tick check. Why should I be Lyme aware?

Lyme is known as ‘ The Great Imitator’. It shares symptoms with arthiritis, MS, Crohn’s/ IBS, Alzheimer’s, CFS/ME, Anxiety, Fibromyalgia, Autism, Depression. Many people diagnosed

with an insect borne disease do not emember being bitted.

Acute/immediate symptoms include fatigue, fever, joint aches.