The bacterial infection you might catch while doing a hike – here's five signs to watch out for

The Irish Sun

a day ago

THE HSE has issued a reminder over a bacterial infection caught outdoors that can lead to serious illness.
Lyme disease is a condition that affects up to 400 people in Ireland each year.
3
Lyme disease is an illness caused by a bacteria following a bite from an infected tick
Credit: Getty Images
3
The rash can appear up to three months after being bitten by a tick
Credit: Getty Images
3
You can remove a tick safely using a fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool
Credit: Getty Images
Health chiefs have alerted the public to an infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks.
Most cases occur in the summer and autumn and it is easy to treat if it's diagnosed early.
These are small brown bugs whose bite can cause Lyme disease.
It is an illness caused by borrelia bacteria following a bite from an infected tick.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they said: "#LymeDisease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks.
"Most people with early symptoms of Lyme disease develop a circular red skin rash around a tick bite."
The condition can affect anyone but is most common amongst those who spend time in grassy or heavily wooded areas or are in contact with certain animals like deer and sheep.
Only a small number of individuals will develop Lyme disease following a tick bite.
However, early identification of Lyme disease with prompt and appropriate antibiotic therapy is important to minimise the likelihood of the development of late stage infection.
The rash can appear up to three months after being bitten by a tick and most rashes appear within the first four weeks.
The major symptoms of 'common cancer' as HSE say 'know the signs'
It usually lasts for several weeks and not everyone with the illness gets the rash.
The rash can look like a bull's-eye on a dartboard, and the skin is usually red and the edges may feel slightly raised.
MAJOR SYMPTOMS
In the early stages you may also have flu-like symptoms such as:
feeling hot and shivery, or a high temperature
headaches
muscle and joint pain
tiredness and loss of energy
Mood changes and anxiety.
Health chiefs advise those bitten to remove ticks as soon as possible as Lyme disease can be prevented if infected ticks are removed within 36 hours.
In Ireland, about five per cent of ticks are thought to carry Lyme disease bacteria.
And high-risk areas can include sand dunes, grassy and wooded areas.
HOW TO REMOVE TICKS
Tick bites are not always painful. You may not notice a tick unless you see it on your skin.
You should check your skin after being outdoors.
Also check your children for ticks, especially their head and hairline.
Pets can carry the ticks and need to be checked as well.
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool. You can buy these from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops.
Here are three steps to removing a tick safely:
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze or crush the tick - dispose of it carefully. Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water.
Most people with Lyme disease get better after antibiotic treatment.