Now the weather is nice its a great time for that mountain walk.

But are you aware of the signs of Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by bites from ticks infected with bacteria and it is on the rise in Ireland.  There were 21 reported cases last year which has risen from 8 reported in 2012.

Lyme Disease is a serious infection in which the bacteria in the tick’s bite has the ability to penetrate the body’s tissue, and causes a number of chronic inflammatory symptoms.

Classic signs of early Lyme disease include:

• muscle aches
• headache
• fatigue
• fever

Some people with Lyme disease experience other, more advanced symptoms of the illness. Joint pain, especially in the knees, and a stiff neck may occur in the early-symptom stage or several months after your tick bite. Severe headaches and shooting pain in your body may keep you up at night. Dizziness and changes in your heart rate or rhythm are also advanced symptoms of Lyme disease.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you can go to your GP for a simple blood test to determine whether you have Lyme’s Disease.