What is lyme

Most Lyme disease tests check for antibodies made by the body in response to infection. These antibodies can take several weeks to develop. If you are tested right away, it may not show that you have Lyme disease, even if you have it. So you may need to have another test later. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. The earlier you are treated, the better; it gives you the best chance of fully recovering quickly.

After treatment, some patients may still have pain, fatigue, or difficulty thinking that lasts more than 6 months. If you have been treated for Lyme disease and still feel unwell, contact your health care provider about how to manage your symptoms.

Most people do get better with time. But it can take several months before you feel all better. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

Lyme Disease. Resources Find an Expert. What is Lyme disease? What causes Lyme disease? They are usually found in the Northeast Mid-Atlantic Upper Midwest Pacific coast, especially northern California These ticks can attach to any part your body.

Who is at risk for Lyme disease? Later symptoms More serious symptoms may develop if Lyme disease is left untreated or is not treated early. These can include: pain and swelling in the joints nerve problems — such as numbness or pain in your limbs memory problems difficulty concentrating heart problems Some of these problems will get better slowly with treatment.

How you get Lyme disease If a tick bites an animal carrying the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, the tick can become infected. They're common in woodland and moorland areas, but can also be found in gardens or parks.

Who's at risk and where are ticks found? The risk of getting Lyme disease is higher: for people who spend time in woodland or moorland areas from March to October because more people take part in outdoor activities Ticks are found throughout the UK and in other parts of Europe and North America. Diagnosing Lyme disease Diagnosing Lyme disease is often difficult as many of the symptoms are similar to other conditions.

Treating Lyme disease If you have symptoms of Lyme disease, you'll normally be given antibiotics. Preventing Lyme disease There is currently no vaccine available to prevent Lyme disease. Tweet Click here to share this page on Twitter This will open a new window.

Print Click here to print this page This will open your print options in a new window. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window. Last updated:. How can we improve this page? Email Address e. Message Maximum of characters. Send feedback. Also on NHS inform. It can last for several weeks. The rash can have a darker or lighter area in the centre and might gradually spread. It's not usually hot or itchy.

The rash may be flat, or slightly raised, and look pink, red, or purple when it appears on white skin. It can be harder to see the rash on brown and black skin and it may look like a bruise. Some people also get flu-like symptoms a few days or weeks after they were bitten by an infected tick, such as:. Some people with Lyme disease develop more severe symptoms months or years later.

But it's still important to be aware of ticks and to safely remove them as soon as possible, just in case. Ticks that may cause Lyme disease are found all over the UK, but high-risk places include grassy and wooded areas in southern and northern England and the Scottish Highlands.

Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures that live in woods, areas with long grass, and sometimes in urban parks and gardens.

They're found all over the UK. Ticks do not jump or fly. They attach to the skin of animals or humans that brush past them. The ailment has a number of symptoms, some more common than others. A Lyme disease antibody test is used to determine if you have contracted the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.

Learn more about how the test is…. Ticks are small, brown parasites that are known for carrying disease and that can attach to your skin and suck your blood. Ticks are very common in the United States. Tick bites are often harmless, but they can cause allergic reactions and can spread diseases like Lyme…. Ticks are small parasitic organisms that live in wooded areas and fields. These arachnids need blood from humans or animals to survive.

Ticks can be…. Early disseminated Lyme disease is the stage in which the bacteria that cause Lyme disease have spread throughout your body.

Get prevention tips and…. Pharmacists team up with a university for a program allowing pharmacists to deliver a single dose of doxycycline to people who think they may have….

See how Nexium and Prilosec compare and learn about their differences. The terms heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD are often used interchangeably. They actually have very different meanings. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M.

What is Lyme disease? Symptoms of Lyme disease. Lyme disease treatment. Lyme disease. Is Lyme disease contagious? Lyme disease stages.