Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted through infected tick bites. These ticks are about the size of a pin head and are found in woodland and around heathland. If you have been bitten by a tick and haven't removed it within a couple of days, you may be at risk of Lyme disease.

A common early sign of infection is a circular, expanding rash that has the appearance of a bullseye. If you have this rash, you should consult your GP, but this rash doesn't occur in all cases. If left untreated, an infection can spread to your joints, heart, and even the nervous system. Symptoms of Lyme disease include headaches, fever, joint pain, fatigue and problems with short-term memory. Lyme disease can be overlooked because the symptoms mimic many other conditions, including arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia.

Our Lyme Disease (ELISA) Blood Test can help to confirm if you have Lyme disease. If you have glandular fever, rheumatoid arthritis, or another autoimmune condition, this test could give a false positive result. If you have a positive ELISA result, we'll advise you to be assessed by your doctor.

You could receive a negative result if you take this test too soon after the infection date. If you are free of symptoms, please wait for at least six weeks after the date you suspect you were bitten or were in an environment where you could have been infected. If you are experiencing symptoms, we recommend testing as soon as possible.

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