Justin Bieber has revealed that he is suffering with Lyme disease, sharing the diagnosis with the world for the first time yesterday 8 January.
He posted a picture of an exclusive online article proclaiming he had the disease on Instagram and captioned it: “While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s**t, on meth etc. they failed to realise I’ve been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease”.
Lyme disease is something that can affect and impact people from all walks of life and age groups. Sk8r Boi singer Avril Lavigne also suffers from the illness.
But what exactly is Lyme disease?
It is a bacterial infection that is contracted when humans are bitten by infected ticks (tiny spider-like creatures that live in woods and areas with long grass). The disease’s initial symptoms include a red ring-like rash around the bite and feeling like you are suffering from flu.
In the most severe case or if it is left untreated for long enough, it can lead to heart and nerve problems, swollen joints, chronic pain, chronic fatigue and brain fog.
What are the causes of Lyme disease?
Of course the majority of tick bites are completely harmless but a tick can spread the disease if it has previously bitten an animal that is infected. However, not all bites hurt and they can go unnoticed. For this reason it is important to check your skin for bites and also your children and pets if any of you have been playing in long grass or woodlands.
In order to avoid being bitten when walking in the Great Outdoors it wise to tuck your trousers into your socks and stick to the path as much as you can.
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What should you do if you think you have Lyme disease?
The NHS recommends going to visit a doctor if you think you have been bitten by a tick or have spent time in an area that is known to house infected ticks and you have a circular rash or flu-like symptoms which include headaches, nausea, fever or aching muscles.
If you GP thinks you may have it then you will be given antibiotics, of which you must take them all in order for them to work effectively. For most people antibiotics will cure your symptoms however for some it may take a few months to be cured. Additionally people with more severe symptoms will be referred for special injections.
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