'What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?'

our expert replies*:

Most people who are bitten by ticks will not become ill. Some ticks, however, are infected with the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease in humans. The first sign of infection is usually a circular rash that spreads outwards from the site of the tick bite. People who become infected may also experience 'flu-like symptoms including fever, headaches, muscle aches and fatigue. If you become unwell after being bitten by a tick, you should visit the doctor. Patients who take antibiotics in the early stages of infection usually recover fully within a short time. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, including the nervous system, the joints and, rarely, the heart. These complications develop in about 15 per cent of cases and may lead to more prolonged illness, which can be treated with antibiotics, but recovery may be slower.

There are steps people can take to reduce the risk of contracting an infection from ticks. Knowing how ticks behave is important. These tiny, spider-like creatures are often found in tall grass. They generally feed on blood from animals and birds. But occasionally, they bite humans and can latch onto the skin for several days.

Only a minority of ticks in any area will carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, but there are parts of the country where Lyme disease is more common. These include Exmoor, the New Forest, the South Downs, Thetford Forest, the Lake District, the North York Moors and the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

If you are walking in tick-infested areas, you can protect yourself by wearing long-sleeved clothing and tucking your trousers into your socks. You should also use insect repellents (containing DEET) on any uncovered areas of skin. If you find an attached tick, you should remove it carefully using tweezers – this website has a clear diagram.

Remember, ticks might attach themselves anywhere on the body, including the waistband area, but they prefer warm, moist and dark places such as armpits and the crotch. The risk of a tick transmitting its infection is low during the first 24 hours that it is attached to the skin, so early removal greatly lowers the risk of disease. It is worth checking your skin carefully for any attached ticks when you come in from a day spent in a tick-infested area. Also check young children, including their head and neck areas.

Last year there were around 550 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the United Kingdom. About 20 per cent of cases were reported to have been acquired abroad, e.g. in the USA, France or Scandinavia.

More detailed information on Lyme disease can be found on the Health Protection Agency's Website: www.hpa.org.uk/.../lyme_borreliosis/menu.htm

* Advice provided by Professor Pat Troop of the HPA

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