What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is the more common name for symptoms created by an infection caused by species of the Borrelia bacterium. The correct term is Lyme borreliosis, which covers the many species of Borrelia bacteria that people and animals can become infected with. 

Lyme disease is commonly contracted from the bite of an infected tick. However, many Lyme experts are certain that Lyme borreliosis can also be contracted  from other biting vectors such as horse flies, spiders, fleas, bed bugs and possibly mosquitoes too.  There is also evidence that Lyme borreliosis can be passed from a mother to their unborn child and also via bodily fluids such as blood, breast milk and sexual fluids. Much more research is needed in these areas, but caution is needed where Lyme borreliosis is concerned. 

Lyme borreliosis symptoms can range from feeling slightly unwell with a mild cold, to feeling very unwell with whole body and neurological symptoms. Less than 40% of people develop a 'Lyme rash', which can be a clear clinical diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis after a bite. Many people first present with a flu-like feeling, stiff neck, sore joints and brain fog. Longer term symtoms can imitate conditions such as CFS, ME, Fibromyalgia, MS, ALS, Alzhiemer's, dementia and more. 

Sadly standard conventional testing for Lyme borreliosis has been quoted as only 14 - 27% accurate. Older, conventional tests are infamous for producing false negative results. More up to date private testing is often required. There are also other testing options that can be useful to use as 'cross testing'.  

In the UK the NHS is not very up to date on Lyme borreliosis. Globally, standard Lyme tests are not very accurate. Many doctors and nurses are not well trained on Lym. In the NHS in the UK does not believe that Lyme can become long-term or chronic after a 21 days, and sometimes even as small as a single dose, course of antibiotics (UK NICE guidelines are currently 21 days). This viewpoint has been proven incorrect by Lyme borreliosis researchers such as Dr Eva Sapi and colleagues. 

Prompt action is key. Preventing a bite is best but if bitten, removing a tick as soon as possible will reduce the chances of any infections being passed on. Studies show that ticks carry bacteria in their salivary glands, meaning that certain infections can be passed on within minutes.

Using very fine-pointed tweezers or a vet approved tick removal tool is best.  The aim is to get as close to the host's skin as possible without squeezing the tick's body at all. Steadily lift the tick straight up with tweezers. Other tick twister tools that cradle the tick's head are OK to twist as they don't use pressure, meaning there's less risk of the tick's head snapping off and reamining under the skin. 

Be tick aware. Use tick repellent spray, wear light clothes, tuck socks into trousers to prevent a tick climbing inside trousers. Do regular tick checks on yourself, children and pets. Avoid sitting in grass or brushing against vegetation. Shower after walks etc. You can place clothes in a dryer as ticks hate dry heat and it will kill them. 

Yes! If an infection is suspected then prompt treatment within days with antibiotics for 6 - 8 weeks (international ILADS guidelines) gives the best chance of preventing Lyme borreliosis. Some people do treat new tick bites with alternative methods, but currently 6 -8 weeks of appropriate antibiotics is the most effective international method. People with long term, late-stage Lyme borreliosis can and do recover but the process can be complicated and requires a specialised approach. 

Hannah has been researching Lyme and successful recovery for 12 years now. Hannah has trained with several global Lyme and natural health experts. She offers help and support via her Lyme Success Story eBook, Zoom sessions and Lyme Support Calls. To find out more click the EBOOK + or CONTACT ME tabs at the top of this page.