Woman's Own

Could Lyme disease be a possibilit­y?

- Dawn Harper ASK THE DOCTOR Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your medical questions...

QMy husband noticed a tick on my leg last night, which I must have got whilst out walking the dog during the day. We removed it with tweezers and cleaned the area with antiseptic. I feel completely well, and I don’t want to worry my GP unnecessar­ily, but a friend said I should be tested for Lyme disease. Is that true?

ATicks transmit Lyme disease when they bite an infected animal and then bite a human, but only a small number of ticks are infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, so your risk is very low. You only need to speak to a doctor if you develop a circular red rash – like a bullseye – around the bite, or if you develop flu like symptoms.

 ??  ?? A rash is a sign of Lyme disease
A rash is a sign of Lyme disease
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