Topic: Top North doc warns of viral illness increase (UK)
Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Top North doc warns of viral illness increase Jul 5 2009 by Vicky Robson, Sunday Sun
A TOP North doctor has warned that the region could be sitting on a ticking timebomb after new figures revealed a rise in the cases of a potentially fatal disease.
Rheumatoid consultant Dr Terence Daymond is urging people to become aware of the viral illness in order to prevent the number of cases in the UK from spiralling.
The private practitioner, at The Nuffield Hospital, in Jesmond, Newcastle, claims that the figures released by The Health Protection Agency (HPA) may only be ``the tip of the iceberg''.
Lyme Disease, which can be fatal if left untreated, is caused by a bacteria that is transmitted to humans when they are bitten by an infected tick.
Dr Daymond said: ``Not only are there new patients being diagnosed, but the ones that have already been diagnosed are now realising that they were bitten by a tick in the past.
``The two main things are that the number of cases being reported in the country are rising, and ticks are no longer dying off during the winter months due to climate change and warmer weather.
``So at this time of year, especially with the summer holidays coming up, people need to be made aware of the risks of going into the countryside and being bitten by a tick.''
Since 2003 the number of laboratory-confirmed cases in England and Wales have been rising, with 815 cases recorded by the HPA last year - according to statistics released last month based on the cases that were reported to the organisation.
That includes almost 30 in the region last year.
But Dr Daymond claims the figure does not include patients who have been privately diagnosed.
``The tests that are being done in this country are not always sensitive enough to pick it up and we have to be clinically aware of that.
``If it is not treated then there can be severe symptoms and complications. I don't think enough doctors understand that,'' he said.
Lyme Disease sufferer Ellie Marshall, of Hexham, in Northumberland, went to see a private specialist out of desperation, claiming her own GP refused to believe she had the disease.
In 2002, the 48-year-old started suffering from a catalogue of horrendous symptoms, including excruciating chest pains, palpitations, dizziness, extreme fatigue and severe headaches.
But it was only at the beginning of last year that Ellie was finally diagnosed with Lyme Disease after a private specialist ran a blood test.
The mum-of-two said: ``I remember having a bite on my arm and I thought nothing of it until a few weeks later when I started to feel really weird. But I didn't know anything about Lyme Disease back then.''
Dr Sue O'Connell, consultant medical microbiologist at the HPA, said: ``It has been estimated that the likely number of infections in UK patients could be between 2000 and 3000 cases per year, because some patients with the characteristic erythema migrans rash are treated without having laboratory tests performed.''
What to watch for
LYME Disease is a bacterial infection caused from the bite of an infected tick.
Symptoms may appear between two and 30 days after the bite and include:
Feeling unwell with "flu-like" symptoms, extreme fatigue, muscle or joint pain, stiff neck, headaches and disturbances of sight, hearing, digestive system or sleep.
A "Bullseye" rash. If you get a rash take a photograph of it for a record.
It can be treated with antibiotics.
But the disease can become chronic and affect the nervous system - especially in children - and can result in facial palsy and bring on severe arthritis of the major joints.
It can also affect the heart, liver and spleen and even lead to encephalitis - inflammation of the brain.
How to beat the illness
TO minimise the risk of being bitten by an infected tick the Health Protection Agency advises people to:
Keep to paths and away from long grass or overgrown vegetation.
Wear suitable clothing in tick-infested areas, such as long-sleeved shirts and trousers tucked into socks.
Consider using a DEET-containing insect repellent.
Inspect skin frequently and remove any attached ticks.
Make sure that children's head and neck areas, including scalps, are properly checked.
Check that ticks are not brought home on clothes and check that pets do not bring ticks into the home on their fur.
posted
Why does the headline call it a "viral" illness?
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Yes... I caught that one as well, and obviously, the reporter has no clue.
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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