What are the symptoms of Lyme disease? We asked a GP
US actress and comedian Amy Schumer has revealed that she was diagnosed with Lyme disease this summer.
The 39-year-old entertainer said she may have had the condition 'for years'. Posting on Instagram, the mother-of-one told followers that she 'feel[s] good' but asked for advice about living with Lyme disease.
The caption, uploaded alongside a photo of the star as a child, read: 'Anyone get LYME this summer? I got it and I’m on doxycycline. I have maybe had it for years. Any advice? Can you have a glass of wine or 2 on it?'
Amy went on to explain: 'I know to stay out of the sun. I’m also taking these herbs from cape cod called lyme-2. Please comment or text me on my number in my bio. I also want to say that I feel good and am excited to get rid of it.'
A post shared by @amyschumer on Sep 8, 2020 at 12:57pm PDT
But what actually is Lyme disease? What are the symptoms? And how is Lyme disease treated? We spoke to Dr Houda Ounnas, a GP at 9 Harley Street.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is an infection caused by being bitten by a tick that is infected with a germ called Borrelia. Lyme disease progresses usually in three stages. The initial stage after the tick bite is usually characterised by a distinctive rash and flu-like symptoms, such as a temperature and muscle aches.
Left untreated, Lyme disease would then progress to the second stage, where the person may experience symptoms of inflammation around the joints, the heart and the brain causing illnesses like or meningitis or encephalitis.
The third stage – which might develop months or even years after the initial tick bite – has a whole plethora of unrelated symptoms that can affect any system in the body. It can cause unpleasant conditions such as vertigo, weakness in the fingers and toes, problems with memory and concentration, arthritis or even mental health problems such as mood changes and occasionally schizo-affective disorder, a complex mental health condition where the person has both the symptoms of Schizophrenia and Mania.
How do you catch Lyme disease?
Ticks are small insect-like creatures, about the size of a pinhead. Ticks feed by biting the skin and sucking blood from animals such as mice, and sometimes humans. In this way, some ticks become infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
Ticks cannot jump, fly or be passed on from a human to human. Instead they climb on to passing humans from long grass or foliage. If an infected tick bites a human then the bacteria may be passed on.
The bacteria then spreads into the blood and causes Lyme disease. That is why most people affected by Lyme disease are forestry or outdoor workers and holidaymakers to countryside areas where ticks are found.
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
The first and most common symptom is a rash that spreads out from the site of the tick bite.
Left untreated, the germs can spread to other areas of the body. In some cases this can cause serious symptoms, often months after the initial tick bite. Delayed symptoms may include neurological or heart-related problems.
Not everyone with Lyme disease gets the rash. Some people also have flu-like symptoms in the early stages, such as a high temperature, feeling hot, shivery headaches, muscle and joint pain, tiredness and a loss of energy.
How is Lyme disease diagnosed?
Doctors are normally able to recognise the distinctive rash that relates to Lyme disease, or they will diagnose a patient based on the symptoms listed above. If you do not have the rash but have had the other symptoms, then there is a blood test called ELISA which can detect your immune system response to Lyme disease.
Unfortunately, the blood test might take time to become positive, because it is only as fast as your immune system detects and fights against the Lyme disease. So, if you have the symptoms, but the test is initially negative, your doctor is likely to repeat it in 4-6 weeks to check if it has become positive.
How do you treat Lyme disease?
A course of antibiotic medication will usually clear the infection.
How do you prevent Lyme disease?
The following advice might help reduce the risks:
If possible, avoid areas where infected ticks live – particularly in the summer months.
When out in the countryside, keep to paths and away from long grass or overgrown vegetation, as ticks crawl up long grass in their search for a feed.
If living or visiting a tick-prone area, when outdoors wear appropriate clothing. That means long-sleeved shirts and long trousers tucked into socks. Light-coloured fabrics are useful, as it is easier to see ticks against a light background.
Inspect your entire body each day to check for ticks and remove any that are on the skin. Make sure that children's head and neck areas – including scalps – are properly checked.
Consider using a tick repellent spray or cream on your skin, such as one that contains DEET.
Shower or bath after returning from a tick-infested area.
Check that ticks are not brought home on clothes.
Check that pets do not bring ticks into the home on their fur. Remove the tick safely or if uncertain attend your closest urgent care centre, where they can remove it for you.
For more information and for references, visit websites for the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, www.patient.info, www.nhs.com or consult your local GP.
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