CASES of Lyme disease have spiked in the last 15 years with medics warning it remains a 'concern'.
The illness is a bacterial infection spread by ticks when they bite humans.
There are round 3,000 cases of Lyme disease in England every year.
But new data coming out of the US suggests that infections there are at an all time high.
In just 15 years, incidences have risen by 357 per cent in rural areas, with urban areas like New York also seeing a 65 per cent rise.
The new data comes from insurance claims collected by FAIR Health.
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Experts looked at a database ofprivate healthcare claims on Lyme disease over the last 15 years.
Most people in the US have health insurance and this allows them to access care when they are unwell.
Whereas in the UK – this would be provided by the NHS.
From the analysis, the team were able to find that diagnosis of the illness peaked in June and July of each year.
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FAIR Health president Robin Gelburd stated: “Lyme disease remains a growing public health concern.”
But what are the symptoms of Lyme disease and what can you do to avoid it?
Most people develop a distinctive red rash the shape of a circle with a ring around it between three and 30 days after they were bitten.
The rash can vary in size significantly and can expand over the course of days or weeks.
Typically, this blemish grows to around 15cm in diameter.
The 8 main symptoms are:
- A rash
- Tiredness
- Muscle pain
- Headaches
- High temperature
- Joint pain
- Chills
- Neck stiffness
If left untreated, Lyme disease sufferers can develop much more serious symptoms including:
- Serious joint pain
- Nervous system pain which can lead to paralysis of facial muscles, memory problems and difficulties concentrating
- Heart problems, such as inflammation of the heart muscle
- Inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord as with meningitis.
How to treat it
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics and you should visit the doctor immediately if you develop any of the symptoms described after being bitten by a tick.
Most people require a two to four week prescription depending on how developed the condition is.
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For particularly severe cases, patients are referred to a specialist for antibiotic injections.
There is currently no vaccination to prevent Lyme disease.
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