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Lyme Disease

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted by the bite of an infected tick.

Tick bites are generally painless and often go unnoticed.

IF you get bit by a tick, you must remove it immediately. To know how to do this, consult the page on how to remove a tick. Take note of the date and your location when you got bit. Also note the place on your body where you were bit. This information will be useful if you have to consult a doctor.

 

Symptoms

The first symptoms of Lyme disease generally appear within 3 to 30 days after being bit by the infected tick.

Skin rash caused by Lyme disease. © Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The most common symptom is skin rash where the tick bit. The rash rapidly spreads more than 5 cm and takes on the appearance of a bull’s eye (centre clear, dark edges) Sometimes, the rash can appear elsewhere on the body.

 

Other symptoms that can accompany the skin rash:

  • fever;
  • fatigue;
  • headache;
  • stiff neck;
  • muscle pain.

When to see a doctor?

If you present one or more of the symptoms related to Lyme disease within 3 to 30 days after being infected, contact Info-Santé by dialing 811 or see a doctor.

For more information, consult the Portail santé mieux-être page on this topic.

Source: Portail santé mieux-être

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