SPONSORED BY
Lyme Disease UK urges public to Wake Up To Lyme as symptoms overlap with COVID-19
Be tick aware
A
fter a year of COVID-19 related lockdowns, and the approaching warmer temperatures, many of us are eager to get back outside. On the path to normality, we will need to continue to observe the guidelines that protect us from coronavirus and support the NHS, but also Wake Up to Lyme. The symptoms of acute Lyme disease can overlap with COVID-19 symptoms, with fatigue, fever and exhaustion being common in both cases. Yet it is largely unknown, and very often untreated or misdiagnosed. As we return to parks and private gardens, both being places ticks are active, it’s important to be aware of how to prevent tick bites, know what to do if we are bitten and help prevent further cases of Lyme disease this summer. Many animals can have Lyme disease
12 | www.christiesdirect.com
and show no signs or symptoms. Dogs are most frequently infected but Lyme can also occur in horses, cattle, and cats - and people. The most common signs include swollen joints, lethargy fever, loss of appetite, painful or swollen joints, and intermittent lameness. Left untreated it can lead to damage in the kidneys, nervous system, and heart. To prevent ticks use tick collars, tablets or spot-on products; try to avoid long grass; and regularly check your pet for ticks. Vets are experts in this field and are ideally placed for providing advice to pet owners.
UK registered charity, Lyme Disease UK, will be carrying out their fifth ‘Wake Up to Lyme’ campaign this May, International Lyme Awareness Month. Lyme Disease UK is a volunteer-led charity that offers support for Lyme disease patients and their loved ones. In 2016, the Big Tick Project discovered that a third of dogs checked in a study had ticks attached which their owners did not know about. The #WakeUpToLyme awareness campaign aims to reduce the number of new infections and educate people on how to enjoy the outdoors safely.
