Latest Health & safet Statistics
Latest statistics suggest the UK needs better health and safety, not less as proposed by the Tory/LibDem Coalition Government:
The Tory/LibDem Coalition Government's attack on health and safety legislation has began with the 'Lord Young Review' however, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has published a study with statistics strongly suggesting that the UK needs better health and safety, not less as the coalition governments is proposing.
Ill health
• In 2008/09 an estimated 1.2 million people, who worked in the last twelve months suffered from ill health which they thought was work related*
• Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common type of work-related illness but mental ill health gives rise to more working days lost
• Figures for the last three years show that a yearly average of around 5500 cases were assessed for industrial injuries disablement benefit (IIDB). The largest categories were vibration white finger, carpal tunnel syndrome and respiratory diseases associated with past exposures to substances such as asbestos and coal dust
• The annual number of work related cancer deaths is likely to be more than 8000
• About 4000 cancer deaths each year are due to past exposure to asbestos
• In 2007 there were 96 deaths from asbestosis (as underlying cause), and 156 from other types of pneumoconiosis, mostly due to coal dust and silica
• Around 15% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD – including bronchitis and emphysema) may be work related. This suggests there could be some 4000 COPD deaths each year due to past occupational exposures to fumes, chemicals and dusts
• The annual number of mesothelioma deaths has increased from 153, in 1968, to 2056, in 2007
Deaths and injury• 413 people have died in the workplace over the last two years
• Around 1000 workers die in work related road traffic accidents each year.
• 131,895 employees were injured in 2008/09 **
• There were 27 594 major injuries to employees reported in 2008/09. Over one third were caused by slipping or tripping
• There were 104 301 other injuries to employees causing absence from work of more than 3 days. Around two fifths were caused by handling, lifting or carrying, and a quarter due to slipping or tripping
Deaths in the workplace – 2008/09
• Agriculture: 26 (5.7 deaths per 100 000 workers)
• Construction: 53 (2.4 deaths per 100 000 workers)
• Manufacturing: 32 (1.1 deaths per 100 000 workers)
• Services: 63 (0.3 deaths per 100 000 workers)
Working days lost
• 29.3 million working days were lost in 2008/09, 24.6 million due to work-related ill health and 4.7 million due to workplace injury
Key
*Labour Force Survey (LFS)
** Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
All other statistics provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
HSE Fatal Injury Statistics 2009/10
The HSE has published the following information.
Summary for 2009/10
• The provisional figure for the number of workers fatally injured in 2009/10 is 151, and corresponds to a rate of fatal injury of 0.5 per 100 000 workers.
• The rate of fatal injury for 2009/10 represents a statistically significant decrease compared to the average rate for the previous five years.
• Given that these statistics are based on a count of events that are rare, they are highly subject to chance variation from one year to the next. Therefore, when seeking to use the data to make inferences about changes in the inherent dangerousness of work conditions, it is necessary to look at trends over a number of years. The incorporation of the 2009/10 data into the time series reinforces an underlying downward trend.
• The figure of 151 worker deaths is 31% lower than the average for the past five years (220). In terms of the rate of fatal injuries, the latest figure of 0.5 per 100 000 workers is 30% lower than the five-year average rate of 0.7.
• Eurostat have made a comparison of the fatal injury rates across EU countries. This reveals that the fatal injury rate for Great Britain is consistently one of the lowest in Europe, These data can be found on the Eurostat website . From the ‘Data Navigation Tree’ select ‘Population and social conditions’; then ‘Health’; ‘Health and safety at work’; ‘Accidents at work’.)
• There were 70 members of the public fatally injured in accidents connected to work in 2009/10 (excluding railways-related incidents).
Worker fatalities by main industry
• In agriculture there were 38 fatal injuries in 2009/10 with a corresponding rate of 8.2 deaths per 100 000 workers. This compares to a rate of 8.7 when an average of the previous five years is examined. Thus the rate for 2009/10 is 6% below the average for the previous five years.
• In construction there were 41 fatal injuries, with a rate of 2.0 deaths per 100 000 workers. This compares to an average rate of 3.2 for the previous five years. Thus the rate for 2009/10 is 37% below the average for the previous five years.
• In manufacturing there were 24 fatal injuries, with a rate of 0.9 deaths per 100 000 workers. This compares to an average rate of 1.2 for the previous five years. Thus the rate for 2009/10 is 28% below the average for the previous five years.
• In the services sector there were 42 fatalities, with a rate of 0.2 deaths per 100 000 workers. This compares to an average rate of 0.3 for the previous five years. Thus the rate for 2009/10 is 42% below the average for the previous five years
FOOTNOTE FROM CWU H,S&E Department:
If you include all work related deaths, including those not reported under RIDDOR (Drivers and Members of the Public etc) the figure rises from 151 to around 1,500. The figures also do not include those deaths caused by Industrial diseases. There was about 5000 cancer deaths in the year due to past exposure to asbestos and other types of pneumoconiosis, mostly due to coal dust and silica dust exposure. Around 15% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD – including bronchitis and emphysema) may be work related, suggesting a further 4000 COPD deaths in the year were due to past occupational exposures to various fumes, chemicals and dusts. The annual number of mesothelioma deaths has increased from 150 to around 2,500 over the last 40 years.
Understanding Stress
Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Effects
Modern life is full of hassles, deadlines, frustrations, and demands. For many people, stress is so commonplace that it has become a way of life. Stress isn’t always bad. In small doses, it can help you perform under pressure and motivate you to do your best. But when you’re constantly running in emergency mode, your mind and body pay the price. If you frequently find yourself feeling frazzled and overwhelmed, it’s time to take action to bring your nervous system back into balance. You can protect yourself by learning how to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and taking steps to reduce its harmful effects.
What is stress?
The Body’s Stress Response
When you perceive a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones rouse the body for emergency action. Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus – preparing you to either fight or flee from the danger at hand.
Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way. When you sense danger – whether it’s real or imagined – the body's defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction, or the stress response.
The stress response is the body’s way of protecting you. When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your life – giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident.
But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.
Effects of chronic stress
The body doesn’t distinguish between physical and psychological threats. When you’re stressed over a busy schedule, an argument with a friend, a traffic jam, or a mountain of bills, your body reacts just as strongly as if you were facing a life-or-death situation. If you have a lot of responsibilities and worries, your emergency stress response may be “on” most of the time. The more your body’s stress system is activated, the easier it is to trip and the harder it is to shut off.
Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems. Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body. It can raise blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility, and speed up the aging process. Long-term stress can even rewire the brain, leaving you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.
How much stress is too much?#
Because of the widespread damage stress can cause, it’s important to know your own limit. But just how much stress is “too much” differs from person to person. Some people roll with the punches, while others crumble at the slightest obstacle or frustration. Some people even seem to thrive on the excitement and challenge of a high-stress lifestyle.
Your ability to tolerate stress depends on many factors, including the quality of your relationships, your general outlook on life, your emotional intelligence, and genetics.
Things that influence your stress tolerance level
• Your support network – A strong network of supportive friends and family members is an enormous buffer against life’s stressors. On the flip side, the more lonely and isolated you are, the greater your vulnerability to stress.
• Your sense of control – If you have confidence in yourself and your ability to influence events and persevere through challenges, it’s easier to take stress in stride. People who are vulnerable to stress tend to feel like things are out of their control.
• Your attitude and outlook – Stress-hardy people have an optimistic attitude. They tend to embrace challenges, have a strong sense of humor, accept that change is a part of life, and believe in a higher power or purpose.
• Your ability to deal with your emotions. You’re extremely vulnerable to stress if you don’t know how to calm and soothe yourself when you’re feeling sad, angry, or afraid. The ability to bring your emotions into balance helps you bounce back from adversity.
• Your knowledge and preparation – The more you know about a stressful situation, including how long it will last and what to expect, the easier it is to cope. For example, if you go into surgery with a realistic picture of what to expect post-op, a painful recovery will be less traumatic than if you were expecting to bounce back immediately.
Am I in control of stress or is stress controlling me?
• When I feel agitated, do I know how to quickly calm and soothe myself?
• Can I easily let go of my anger?
• Can I turn to others at work to help me calm down and feel better?
• When I come home at night, do I walk in the door feeling alert and relaxed?
• Am I seldom distracted or moody?
• Am I able to recognize upsets that others seem to be experiencing?
• Do I easily turn to friends or family members for a calming influence?
The situations and pressures that cause stress are known as stressors. We usually think of stressors as being negative, such as an exhausting work schedule or a rocky relationship. However, anything that puts high demands on you or forces you to adjust can be stressful. This includes positive events such as getting married, buying a house, going to college, or receiving a promotion. What causes stress depends, at least in part, on your perception of it. Something that's stressful to you may not faze someone else; they may even enjoy it. For example, your morning commute may make you anxious and tense because you worry that traffic will make you late. Others, however, may find the trip relaxing because they allow more than enough time and enjoy listening to music while they drive.
Common external causes of stress
Not all stress is caused by external factors. Stress can also be self-generated:
• Major life changes
• Work
• Relationship difficulties
• Financial problems
• Being too busy
• Children and family
Signs and symptoms of stress overload
It’s important to learn how to recognize when your stress levels are out of control. The most dangerous thing about stress is how easily it can creep up on you. You get used to it. It starts to feels familiar – even normal. You don’t notice how much it’s affecting you, even as it takes a heavy toll. The signs and symptoms of stress overload can be almost anything. Stress affects the mind, body, and behavior in many ways, and everyone experiences stress differently.
How do you respond to stress?
The following table lists some of the common warning signs and symptoms of stress. The more signs and symptoms you notice in yourself, the closer you may be to stress overload.
Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms
Cognitive Symptoms Emotional Symptoms
• Memory problems
• Inability to concentrate
• Poor judgment
• Seeing only the negative
• Anxious or racing thoughts
• Constant worrying
• Moodiness
• Irritability or short temper
• Agitation, inability to relax
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Sense of loneliness and isolation
• Depression or general unhappiness
Physical Symptoms Behavioral Symptoms
• Aches and pains
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea, dizziness
• Chest pain, rapid heartbeat
• Loss of sex drive
• Frequent colds
• Eating more or less
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Isolating yourself from others
• Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
• Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
• Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)
Keep in mind that the signs and symptoms of stress can also be caused by other psychological and medical problems. If you’re experiencing any of the warning signs of stress, it’s important to see a doctor for a full evaluation. Your doctor can help you determine whether or not your symptoms are stress-related.
Dealing with stress and its symptoms
While unchecked stress is undeniably damaging, there are many things you can do to reduce its impact and cope with symptoms.
Learn how to manage stress
You may feel like the stress in your life is out of your control, but you can always control the way you respond. Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. Stress management involves changing the stressful situation when you can, changing your reaction when you can’t, taking care of yourself, and making time for rest and relaxation.
Strengthen your relationships
A strong support network is your greatest protection against stress. When you have trusted friends and family members you know you can count on, life’s pressures don’t seem as overwhelming. So spend time with the people you love and don’t let your responsibilities keep you from having a social life. If you don’t have any close relationships, or your relationships are the source of your stress, make it a priority to build stronger and more satisfying connections.
Learn how to relax
You can’t completely eliminate stress from your life, but you can control how much it affects you. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing activate the body’s relaxation response, a state of restfulness that is the opposite of the stress response. When practiced regularly, these activities lead to a reduction in your everyday stress levels and a boost in your feelings of joy and serenity. They also increase your ability to stay calm and collected under pressure.
How to Reduce and Manage Job and Workplace Stress
In this difficult economy, you may find it harder than ever to cope with challenges on the job. Both the stress we take with us when we go to work and the stress that awaits us on the job are on the rise. While some stress is a normal part of life, excessive stress interferes with your productivity and reduces your physical and emotional health, so it’s important to find ways to keep it under control.
Coping with work stress in today’s uncertain climate
For workers everywhere, the troubled economy may feel like an emotional roller coaster. "Layoffs" and "budget cuts" have become bywords in the workplace, and the result is increased fear, uncertainty, and higher levels of stress. Since job and workplace stress grow in times of economic crisis, it’s important to learn new and better ways of coping with the pressure. The better you are at managing your own stress, the more you'll positively affect those around you and the less other people's stress will negatively affect you.
You can learn how to manage job stress
There are a variety of steps you can take to reduce both your overall stress levels and the stress you find on the job and in the workplace. These include:
• Taking responsibility for improving your physical and emotional well-being.
• Avoiding pitfalls by identifying knee jerk habits and negative attitudes that add to the stress you experience at work.
• Learning better communication skills to ease and improve your relationships with management and coworkers.
Warning signs of excessive stress at work
When people feel overwhelmed, they lose confidence and become irritable or withdrawn, making them less productive and effective and their work less rewarding. If the warning signs of work stress go unattended, they can lead to bigger problems. Beyond interfering with job performance and satisfaction, chronic or intense stress can also lead to physical and emotional health problems.
Signs and symptoms of excessive job and workplace stress
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed
• Apathy, loss of interest in work.
• Problems sleeping
• Fatigue,
• Trouble concentrating
• Muscle tension orheadaches
• Stomach problems
• Social withdrawal
• Loss of sex drive
• Using alcohol or drugs to cope
Reducing job stress by taking care of yourself
When stress on the job is interfering with your ability to work, care for yourself, or manage your personal life, it’s time to take action. Start by paying attention to your physical and emotional health. When your own needs are taken care of, you’re stronger and more resilient to stress. The better you feel, the better equipped you’ll be to manage work stress without becoming overwhelmed.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul. Even small things can lift your mood, increase your energy, and make you feel like you’re back in the driver’s seat. Take things one step at a time, and as you make more positive lifestyle choices, you’ll soon notice a noticeable difference in your stress level, both at home and at work
Get moving
Aerobic exercise –perspiring -is an effective anti-anxiety treatment lifting mood, increasing energy, sharpening focus and relaxing mind and body. For maximum stress relief, try to get at least 30 minutes of hear pounding activity on most days but activity can be broken up into two or three short segments.
Make food choices that keep you going and make you feel good
Eating small but frequent meals throughout the day maintains an even level of blood sugar in your body. Low blood sugar makes you feel anxious and irritable. On the other hand, eating too much can make you lethargic.
Drink alcohol in moderation and avoid nicotine
Alcohol temporarily reduces anxiety and worry, but too much can cause anxiety as it wears off. Drinking to relieve job stress can also start you on a path to alcohol abuse and dependence. Similarly, smoking when you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed may seem calming, but nicotine is a powerful stimulant – leading to higher, not lower, levels of anxiety.
Get enough sleep
Stress and worry can cause insomnia. But lack of sleep also leaves you vulnerable to stress. When you're sleep deprived, your ability to handle stress is compromised. When you're well-rested, it's much easier to keep your emotional balance, a key factor in coping with job and workplace stress.
Reducing workplace stress by breaking bad habits
As you learn to manage your job stress and improve your work relationships, you’ll have more control over your ability to think clearly and act appropriately. You will be able to break habits that add to your stress at work – and you’ll even be able to change negative ways of thinking about things that only add to your stress.
Find Ways to Dispel Stress
• Get time away. If you feel stress building, take a break. Walk away from the situation. Take a stroll around the block, sit on a park bench, or spend a few minutes meditating. Exercise does wonders for the psyche. But even just finding a quiet place and listening to your iPod can reduce stress.
• Talk it out. Sometimes the best stress-reducer is simply sharing your stress with someone close to you. The act of talking it out – and getting support and empathy from someone else – is often an excellent way of blowing off steam and reducing stress.
• Cultivate allies at work. Just knowing you have one or more co-workers who are willing to assist you in times of stress will reduce your stress level. Just remember to reciprocate and help them when they are in need.
• Find humor in the situation. When you – or the people around you – start taking things too seriously, find a way to break through with laughter. Share a joke or funny story.
Tick Prevention Week 2010 - 12th - 18th April 2010 - Defence against Tick-borne Disease
Warmer Weather Draws Out The Ticks!
As its name suggests, "Tick Prevention Week" provides information to help prevent ticks from biting people and pets. It also gives advice on what to do if ticks do attach. The campaign week is held in early spring when the weather gets warmer, people spend more time outdoors and ticks become more active. Ticks are increasing in Britain and of increasingly urgent concern because they transmit pathogens, such as Lyme Borrelia, Babesia and Louping-ill virus (LIV), that have important impacts on biodiversity, animal and human health.
As the warmer weather encourages people and their pets out into parks and the countryside, others work there, Lyme disease charity BADA-UK (Borreliosis and Associated Diseases Awareness-UK) is warning people to be aware of tick-borne disease. Ticks carrying Borreliosis (also known as Lyme disease) have been found throughout the UK, so even a stroll or a kick about in a park or gardens could be a health risk. "Many areas with good ground cover and diverse wildlife (such as squirrels, hedgehogs and deer) can pose a potential risk" says Wendy Fox, Chair of BADA-UK, and a Lyme disease sufferer. "Simple precautions can help to keep us safe".
Tick Prevention Week, organised by BADA-UK, runs from April 12 - April 18th and aims to provide information to help prevent ticks from biting people and pets. It also gives advice on what to do if ticks do attach. This year's theme of 'DO ONE THING to raise awareness' provides lots of ideas and schools, activity clubs, local companies and specialist interest groups are encouraged to do their bit to raise awareness. Leaflets, posters and much more can be found at www.tickpreventionweek.org. Lyme disease is transmitted via the bite of an infected tick and can lead to serious complications including damage to the nervous system, joints, heart and other tissues.
Figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show a year-on-year increase in cases of Lyme disease, with a marked increase over the past six years from 292 in 2003 to 813 in 2008 (the latest figures). However the HPA estimate up to 3,000 cases every year. Figures released by Health Protection Scotland have shown a dramatic rise in infection rates from 28 confirmed cases in 2001 to 285 cases in 2008.
More information about Lyme disease and BADA-UK can be found at www.bada-uk.org.
Raise Awareness theme is "Do One Thing"
This year the theme is DO ONE THING to raise awareness. There are posters to download and lots of suggestions on how you can DO ONE THING. As its name suggests, "Tick Prevention Week" provides information to help prevent ticks from biting people and pets. It also gives advice on what to do if ticks do attach. The campaign week is held in early spring when the weather gets warmer, people spend more time outdoors and ticks become more active. Once again the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department is supporting "Tick Prevention Week" as we have done since receiving requests from members and harrowing stories of members who were bitten.
3,000 Tick Bites A Year in UK
Up to 3,000 tick bites in the UK and Ireland each year result in Borreliosis (Lyme disease). There are no vaccines to prevent infection. Awareness is the only defence. Make sure you, your colleagues and your family are ‘Tick Aware’! see www.tickpreventionweek.org.
Don't panic but be 'Tick Aware'!
If you are involved in outdoor activities which take you into the countryside or parks and gardens with lots of wildlife (such as squirrels, hedgehogs and deer), you may be at risk of tick bites. Ticks can carry a number of infective organisms which can sometimes make people and pets ill if they get bitten. Simple precautions can help to keep you safe.
Defence
Currently there are no vaccines to defend against tick-borne disease in the UK. Therefore, the best defence is to not get bitten. Then following the top tips for defence.
Top Ten Tips
To defend against tick attachment
The best and easiest defence against tick-borne infection is to avoid being bitten. Simple precautions to help you stay safe include:
1) Out walking, wear suitable clothing: use gaiters, or tuck long trousers into socks, and choose clothes with elastic or drawstrings at the waist, wrist, and ankle, to help deter ticks from crawling under clothes and attaching. Clothing made from smooth or waxed material is hard for ticks to climb, and light-coloured fabrics make them easier to see. Wearing shorts in tick habitat is an invitation to be bitten!
2) Use a repellent: insect repellents that contain "permethrin" can be sprayed on clothing. DO NOT APPLY THIS CHEMICAL DIRECTLY TO SKIN. Allow clothing to dry thoroughly before wearing (N.B. Permethrin is highly toxic to cats. Make sure they do not come into contact with treated clothing).
Repellents that contain 25% "DEET" can be applied to skin but they evaporate quickly and need repeated application. N.B. Confine application to small areas of the arms, legs, and neck, as treatment over large areas can cause toxicity, especially in children. "DEET"-free and herbal products for topical application are available from various outlets.
3) Carry a tick remover: when visiting tick habitat, carry a tick-removal tool and antiseptic wipes. Tick removers are available from the BADA-UK and from some veterinary surgeries and chain pet stores.
4) Walk in the centre of paths: avoid over hanging vegetation at the edge of paths where ticks may be waiting.
5) Have a "tick buddy": when planning an excursion into tick habitat, have a designated "tick buddy" to help you check your body. Pay particular attention to the scalp as ticks can easily hide under hair.
6) Deter ticks from gardens: careful landscaping of park areas and gardens can help to deter ticks, as they thrive in humid environments and avoid sunny, dry areas. The following tips can help you create a "safe zone":
a) Keep leaf litter to a minimum.
b) Keep grass short and cut back overhanging vegetation from the edge of paths.
c) Divide lawns from shrub areas with wood chips or gravel.
d) Keep seating and play equipment away from borders, trees, and bird feeders.
e) Use fencing to divide gardens from deer habitat.
For more comprehensive information, see attached "Tick Control" information.
7) Keep pets tick free: tick-control products that are "spot on" or "spray on" are available from veterinary surgeries but are not suitable for all types of animal. Talk to your vet about which control method is suitable for your particular pet. Treat pet accessories with repellents: pyrethrum-based sprays are available from pet shops and veterinary surgeries, and there are herbal repellents available for treating accessories such as dog-jackets and bedding. You can also treat vehicle upholstery if your pet travels regularly. Warning: Pyrethrum-based products are highly toxic to cats and should not be used in households where cats are present. Always follow the manufacturers' instructions to avoid accidental poisoning by overdose.
9) Groom pets thoroughly: make sure you also brush against, as well as with, the hair-growth to see any embedded ticks. Check inside the ears, around the eyes, on the chin and around the muzzle, as well as between pads and toes.
10) Don't bring ticks home: take off outer clothes before going in doors. Ticks are very intolerant to being dried out so suitable clothing can be treated in a tumble dryer to kill any ticks that may remain hidden. Tests have demonstrated that ticks can survive a full cycle in the washing machine and short periods in a dryer so high heat and prolonged periods of drying would be necessary to kill any remaining ticks.
Facts on Lyme disease
• Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium transmitted via a tick (an insect) bite.
• Lyme disease is usually found in people who have visited areas where ticks are present such as the New Forest, the Highlands and Exmoor. These areas have the right conditions for maintaining the tick life cycle i.e. high humidity in leaf litter or dead vegetation as well as the required animals.
• Ticks feed on a range of animals such as field mice, voles, sheep, deer and horses.
• What are the symptoms? There is a wide range of symptoms, which can be divided into 3 stages. Early-localised Lyme disease - This occurs within 2-30 days after the bite. An expanding red ring develops around the site of the bite. This may be accompanied by a general rash and a fever. Early-disseminated Lyme disease can affect the skin, cardiac, nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Common symptoms include a "flu-like" illness with fever, joint pains, headache and malaise. Skin rashes may occur. Late-disseminated Lyme disease - This may occur years after initial infection and may be in the form of chronic arthritis.
• How is Lyme Disease diagnosed? - Normally from clinical symptoms, a history of a tick bite or visit to an area where ticks are common, along with laboratory serology.
• Is there any treatment? - Yes. This varies according to the degree of illness, but in all cases will consist of antibiotic therapy.
• How is Lyme disease prevented? - The main form of prevention is to reduce the risks of tick bites. When walking through forests and areas where ticks are likely, exposed parts of the body should be covered and insect repellent can be used. Following a walk, the skin should be checked for ticks. If found they should be carefully removed, being careful to ensure the whole of the mouth is also removed. The use of petroleum jelly applied for 15 minutes helps to achieve this. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease as they feed. Ticks on pets should also be removed as soon as seen. Gloves or a cloth should be used to protect the hands.
Our sincere thanks to the Lyme disease charity BADA-UK (Borreliosis and Associated Diseases Awareness-UK) for their assistance
BT Members with restrictions/disabilities
If you have a restriction or disability that affects or could affect your work in BT you can access specialist help and assistance from Enable, which is a specialist service for BT people that identifies and implements workplace adjustments to assist BT people. The service is run by Remploy. Referrals to Enable can come from either the individual or their line manager, although the consent of both is required for the referral to proceed. Referalls should be made through the BT intranet, but people can telephone for an informal chat first. You can contact Remploy on 0845 146 0520 or via email at enable@remploy.co.uk
The enable service will be provided by one of Remploy's Vocational Rehabilitation Consultants. When appropriate Remploy may also seek expertise from specialist organisations and engage their consultants to undertake specialist assessments. Enable can help review any cases where an employee is experiencing difficulties as a result of disability or ill health across the full spectrum of cases; mental ill health, muscoloskeletal issues, MS, Parkinsons, arthritis, sensory disabilities, diabetes, cancer and dyslexia.
The Enable Process
The individual or line manager fills out an enable referall form and sends it to Remploy by fax or email. Remploy will acknowledge receipt within one working day and within 7 days of referall, Remploy's Vocational Rehabilitation Consultants will speak to both the individual and their line manager by telephone to assess suitability for the Enable programme. Should the Enable programme not be suitable, for example, because there is a suitable alternative programme in place for BT people such as physiotherapy, then Remploy will signpost to the more appropriate path.
If Enable is the most appropriate service then Remploy will conduct a full telephone or face to face assessment within 5 days of completing the screening. A Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant will speak with both the line manager and the individual before producing a report making recommendations as to what adjustments and interventions may be appropriate within 5 days of completing the assessment. This can include seeking further advice through a specialist assessment. The Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant will then oversee the implementation of adjustments and ensure that both employee and line manager feel all appropriate steps have been taken before they close the case. If government funding, such as through Access to Work, is available then the Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant will highlight this, assist with the application and oversee the reimbursement. Where the referral relates to a chronic or progressive illness or disability then longer term support is arranged.
Building Defects
Anyone wishing to report a building defect in a BT building,including lights, heating, dirty buildings, and vermin should report this to Monteray on 0800 223388
Members off sick
The branch has a Welfare Officer, Steve Miller who can visit sick members and bring a gift. The employer does not informs us if someone is off work so we rely on members keeping us informed. We can then arrange for the Welfare Officer to call with a gift. All contact is confidential. Steve can be contacted on 07791 956551
Stroke - Facts
Having previously campaigned on these important health subjects, the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department has launched two fresh joint awareness campaigns with POFAS (Post Office First Aid Association), the Stroke Association, Diabetes UK and Royal Mail's Head of Health, utilising the 7,200 First Aiders in Royal Mail Group. Both charities were present at the recent POFAS National First Aid Championship Finals with Exhibition Stands, representatives and lots of information which was distributed. These information sheets are being issued and will hopefully be lowed by articles in Voice, Courier, POFAS publications etc as the campaigns progress. Area Health and Safety Representatives are asked to do what they can to distribute information and raise awareness.
Stroke is the third biggest killer in the UK and the single largest cause of adult disability. But public awareness and recognition of the main signs of stroke are very low and, in response, a new National Stroke Strategy sets out the need to improve awareness of stroke. Around 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year and more than 67,000 die from it according to the Stroke Association who attended CWU Conference in 2007 and have worked closely with the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department, campaigning to raise awareness over the last two years.
Patients who have their stroke confirmed and are given clot-busting drugs and have higher chances of survival.
Acting quickly on important warning signs, like "minor strokes" - saves lives and reduces long-term disability.
Thousands of lives could be saved if patients were admitted straight to hospital and received medication.
Delays are due to patients not recognising or shrugging off stroke symptoms, or calling their GP rather than dialing 999.
Only around one in ten patients are getting the drugs within three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms, as set down in NHS guidelines.
For every minute of delay you can lose about 1,000 miles of nerve fibres in the brain. Stroke, a loss of brain function due to a clot or bleed in the brain, is the third leading cause of death and the single largest cause of adult disability in England.
Stroke accounts for nine per cent of deaths in men and 13 per cent of deaths in women in the UK, and three times as many women die from stroke than breast cancer.
Improving public awareness of the signs of stroke is therefore a key element of the government's new National Stroke Strategy.
The CWU Health, Safety and Environment supported the Stroke Association in lobbying for the Government to adopt the "FAST" campaign which succeeded when CWU former General Secretary and now Government Health Secretary Alan Johnson MP recently launched a major three-year campaign aimed at increasing awareness. The Campaign involves adverts, on TV, radio, online and in the press, showing stroke "spreading like fire in the brain" to illustrate that swift emergency action can limit damage and dramatically increase a person's chances of surviving and of avoiding long-term disability, informing the public about FAST – Face, Arm, Speech, Time to call 999. FAST is a simple test to help people to recognise the signs of stroke and understand the importance of fast emergency treatment.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson MP says that "despite a big improvement in services, stroke still kills over 67,000 people in the UK each year and leaves thousands more disabled. In many cases, death or disability from stroke can be avoided but recognition of these early warning signs is crucial. As well as saving lives, the cost saving to the NHS as a result of this campaign will be significant. Direct stroke care costs the NHS £2.8 billion a year, and the wider economy a further £1.8 billion in income and productivity losses as a result of disability. The informal care cost is £2.4 billion."
CWU National Health, Safety and Environment Officer Dave Joyce said "We want to help promote awareness amongst our members of the "FAST" test - Face, Arm, Speech, Time - to gauge symptoms, including facial weakness, inability to raise both arms and whether somebody can speak or understand what is being said to them. I hope the campaign will help make sure that people having a stroke and those around them can recognise the signs and appreciate the need for fast emergency treatment. The faster a stroke patient receives emergency treatment, the better their chances are of surviving and minimising long-term disability. The Department of Health's stroke awareness campaign will boost public understanding of stroke, its symptoms and treating it as a medical emergency which will I hope significantly improve the chances of recovery for the people who have a stroke every year in the UK, reducing avoidable deaths and we want to support the campaign as much as we can."
10 things you should know about Stroke
1. Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke.
2. A stroke is a brain attack. A stroke happens due to a clot or bleed in the brain, which causes brain cells to die.
3. The signs of a stroke are sudden:
• Facial weakness or numbness
• Arm or leg weakness or numbness - especially on one side of the body.
• Speech problems or confusion,
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
These signs may only last a few hours and are called a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) or mini-stroke and must not be ignored.
4. A stroke is an emergency. If you see the signs of a stroke act FAST and call 999. Urgent medical attention is needed.
5. Early treatment saves lives and increases the chance of making a better recovery.
6. Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause of severe disability in the UK.
7. Almost one in four men and one in five women aged 45 can expect to have a stroke if they live to 85.
8. More than three times as many women die from stroke than breast cancer in the UK.
9. Eating healthily, taking more exercise, not smoking and ensuring blood pressure is normal, can all help to prevent stroke.
10. A (TIA) or mini-stroke has identical symptoms to stroke, which last for less than 24 hours and are followed by a full recovery. A (TIA) or 'mini-stroke' is a powerful warning that an area of the brain is being deprived of blood, and a stroke may follow in the next few hours, days, weeks or months.
Act F.A.S.T.
If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do this simple test
FACE Facial weakness – can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
ARMS Arm weakness – can the person raise both arms? Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH Speech problems – can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
TIME Time to call 999. Anyone seeing any of these signs should treat it as an emergency. Call 999 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.
Diabetes
New cases of diabetes in Britain have soared by 74 per cent between 1997 and 2003, according to the most recent statistics, suggesting that poor diet and rising levels of obesity are behind the increase in the hormonal illness, which almost doubles the risk of premature death.
Latest figures suggest that the number of people in Britain developing obesity-related diabetes is rising at a faster rate than in America, where the disease has become one of the biggest killers. The recent findings support figures published last year suggesting that the number of people newly diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled from 83,000 in 2006 to 167,000 in 2008.
There are 2.5 million people in Britain suffering from the type-2 version of the disease, which is related to sedentary lifestyles and the explosive growth in obesity.
Type-2 disease, or late-onset diabetes is usually diagnosed in people over the age of 40, although there are increasing reports of it being diagnosed in younger patients. It is mainly caused by a growing insensitivity to insulin, and is linked to obesity.
Type-1 disease is commonly diagnosed in childhood, and is caused by the loss of cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, the hormone that controls levels of sugar in the bloodstream.
Britain has one of the fastest-growing diabetes epidemics in the world.
In 1996, 38 per cent of people newly diagnosed with type-2 diabetes were overweight, and 46 per cent were obese. In 2005, the corresponding figures were 32 per cent and 56 per cent respectively.
Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of the charity Diabetes UK, said: “The latest research is a sad indictment of the state of the UK’s health. Sadly, the statistics are not surprising as we know that the soaring rates of type-2 diabetes are strongly linked to the country’s expanding waistline. Research shows that losing weight can reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by 58 per cent. It is imperative that we raise awareness of the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet and doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day if we want to make any headway in defusing the diabetes time-bomb. People who are overweight, under active or over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for developing diabetes. "
CWU National Health, Safety & Environment Officer Dave Joyce said "Diabetes is a public health crisis and we're supporting Diabetes UK to raise awareness and promote the importance of early diagnosis and healthy living with diabetes. The CWU has also been working with BT and Royal Mail on joint awareness campaigns. It is imperative that we do what we can to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Diabetes becomes much worse when the disease is not properly treated and it can lead to serious complications, increasing the risk of fatal heart attack or stroke and other serious medical conditions before retirement age. In many cases, diabetes is not diagnosed in patients until complications develop. The earlier diabetes is diagnosed, the greater the potential of effectively avoiding cardiovascular disease. There are currently over 2.3 million people with diabetes in the UK and there are more than half a million people with diabetes who have the condition and don’t know it. This further underlines the desirability of early detection which can be easily accomplished through a simple blood test."
Long-term complications of diabetes include foot and leg ulcers, stroke, blindness, kidney problems, heart disease and damage to the peripheral blood vessels. The disease is treated by changes to lifestyle, medication to lower sugar levels in the blood, or by insulin injections in extreme cases. The NHS spends around £10 million a day on treating diabetes and its effects, around 5% of its total budget. This is predicted to rise to 10% by 2011.
'Measure Up"
If you are white and over 40 years old, or if you’re black, Asian or from a minority ethnic group and over 25 years old and have one or more of the following risk factors, you should ask your GP for a test for diabetes:
The family
Having diabetes in the family puts you at risk. The closer the relative is, the greater the risk. So if your mum or dad has diabetes, rather than your aunt or uncle, it’s more likely you will develop the condition too.
Ethnicity
African-Caribbean or South Asian people who live in the UK are at least five times more likely to have diabetes than the white population.
Your weight
Not all people with diabetes are over weight but the stats show that over 80 per cent of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. The more overweight and the more inactive you are the greater your risk. If you don’t know whether you’re overweight, ask your GP to measure your BMI or take the Diabetes UK's 2 minute test at: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/measure-up/
Your waist
Women – if your waist measures 31.5in (80cm) or more you’ve got an increased risk. Men – if you’re white or black and your waist is 37in (94cm) or more you have an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. If you’re an Asian man the figure is 35in (90cm) or more.
To measure your waist, the measurement needs to be taken at the mid-point between the top of the hip bone and the lowest rib. Ensure the tape is snug, but does not compress the skin and is parallel to the floor. The measurement should be taken when the person being measured has breathed out.
Other factors
• You have been diagnosed with any problems with your circulation had a heart attack or stroke, or if you’ve got high blood pressure you may be at an increased risk of diabetes.
• Pregnant woman can develop temporary type of diabetes – gestational diabetes. Having this – or giving birth to a large baby – can increase the risk of woman going on to develop diabetes in the future.
• You’re a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and you are overweight – you’re at an increased risk of developing diabetes.
• You’ve been told you have impaired glucose tolerance (IFG) or impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) it means the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood is higher than normal but you don’t have diabetes and you should follow a healthy diet, lose weight if you need to and keep active, to help yourself prevent diabetes. But make sure you are regularly tested
Other conditions such as raised triglycerides (a type of blood fat) and severe mental health problems can also increase your risk.
The more risk factors that apply to you, the greater your risk of having diabetes.
Take the 2 minute On-Line Diabetes Test
Take Diabetes UK's 2 minute On-Line Diabetes Test at the following Link: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/measure-up/]
"Silent Assassin "campaign
Last October Diabetes UK launched 'Silent Assassin', a hard-hitting UK-wide campaign highlighting that diabetes is a serious condition that causes heart disease, stroke, amputations, kidney failure and blindness. The advertising campaign included a series of outdoor posters as well as newspaper and consumer magazine advertising.
Diabetes Week 2009
Diabetes Week is in June each year and is the annual focal point of Diabetes UK's awareness and campaigning activities to help make people realise that diabetes is a serious condition and to raise funds to help find a cure. In Diabetes UK's 75th anniversary year, the theme of Diabetes Week 2009 is "Improving lives" with events and activities taking place across the UK throughout the week. [More information from Diabetes UK: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/]
World Diabetes Day
World Diabetes Day is on 14 November every year. [More information from Diabetes UK: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/]
Do you Know Your Limits?
It’s official. Young people in the UK are drinking more than ever before. Not only that, few are aware of the effects of alcohol on their mental and physical health, or of how much their drinking adds up. At a time when drink related hospital admissions are at an all time high, is it really the case that we simply don’t know when to stop?
The CWU has been invited to work with Know Your Limits, a government campaign designed to get us thinking about excessive drinking and the risks associated with it, particularly in relation to personal health and safety. The campaign also aims for a better understanding of the recommended daily limits for alcohol consumption, to provide people with the information they need make informed choices and stay in control of what they drink. Know Your Limits shows that it is possible to drink safely and sensibly without putting yourself or others at risk.
CWU assistant secretary Simon Sapper said: “How many of us have got up in the morning and felt the worse for wear because we’ve drunk too much the night before. As well as a sore head, the effects could mean you’re over the legal limit for driving and may be unsafe to operate machinery. As a society, the way we use alcohol today means that it does more damage – and possibly incurs more cost - than most illegal narcotics. This campaign is not about big brother or the nanny state. It's just about a new way of looking at what you can do to stay in control."
At CWU conference the issue was the subject of a Youth Advisory Committee fringe meeting where Dr Lynn Owens – a nurse consultant at Liverpool's Primary Healthcare Trust and one of the key advisers behind the Know Your Limits campaign – gave a frank assessment of scale of the problem in modern-day Britain. One of the most striking things about excessive drinking in the UK, she stressed, was the extent to which those ending up in A&E departments are in denial that it is drink causing the problem. Recounting the numerous incidents where alarmed individuals report to A&E having brought up blood as a result of stretching their oesophagus because of violent alcohol-induced sickness, Dr Owens marvelled at the number who "blame it on the kebab rather than the ten pints they've had before!"
'Everyone drinks as much as I do or more' is the standard response, she added - stressing that anyone wanting to seriously confront their drinking problems needs to "start looking at their own drinking and put it in the context of themselves - not others."
The statistics, she stressed, speak for themselves: There are between 15,000 and 22,000 premature deaths in England and Wales every year as a direct result of excessive drinking - and treatment of alcohol related conditions costs the NHS as staggering £1.7 billion a year.
Alcohol abuse is particularly serious in the North West, with 29 per cent of adults drinking at a 'hazardous or harmful' level.
In Liverpool itself, Dr Owen continued, 12 per cent of those attending A&E do so directly because of drinking - and 26 per cent of intensive care admissions are drink-related.
On the wider debate as to why excessive drinking is an issue that trade unions need to take on board, delegates spoke of the need for sensible workplace policies that tackle the problem in a sensitive rather than punitive way.
South West regional youth committee secretary Ralph Ferret argued that a disciplinary approach would prove devastating for many individuals - citing the struggle against alcoholism experienced by one member for whom the sack "would have been a possible death sentence."
Another delegate argued that alcohol abuse couldn't be separated from work-life balance issues, with stress and the unhealthy pressures of a poor work-life balance being factor that could encourage a climate of excessive drinking.
Drinking facts and myths
Myth
• The more you drink the more your body can take it, so you can safely drink more with increasing the risks
• Alcohol is a stimulant
• Coating your stomach with a greasy or milky solution will slow the absorption of alcohol and prevent a person from getting drunk or sick
Fact
• The more you drink the more damage your body will sustain and the greater the risks become
• Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Although the initial effects of alcohol may seem stimulating, the cumulative effect actually depresses the brain.
• The stomach cannot be coated to prevent absorption, however people are encouraged to eat foods rich in carbohydrates and proteins before consuming alcohol. A proper meal before a night out is strongly recommended.
How to stop a good night turning into a bad one:
• Eat before you go out
• Drink water regularly and before you go to bed after a night out
• Don’t try to keep up with friend who drinks more than you
• Don’t drink in rounds
• Intersperse alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Plan your way home before you head out for the night
• Don’t accept drinks from strangers
• Don’t get into an unlicensed cab or into a strangers car
• Don’t leave your friends to go off with some you don’t know
• Carry a condom – if you have sex, make sure you don’t take unnecessary risks
How much is in that glass?
Sprits
A small double measure (50ml) is equal to 2 units.
Wine
A bottle of 13% ABV wine has around 10 units so sharing a bottle means consuming 5 units
Beer
A pint of bitter (3.7% ABV) contains 2 units
• Men should not regularly drink more than 3 – 4 units daily
• Women should not regularly drink more than 2 – 3 units daily
Exceeding these guidelines could add up to a serious illness.
For more information go to:
www.nhs.uk/units
www.drinkaware.co.uk
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
Drinkline 0800 917 8282 (24 hours)
Ticks and Lyme Disease - Warning from Health Protection Agency & Leading Tick-Borne Disease (TBD) Charities - Be"Tick Aware" - CWU Awareness Campaign
Introduction
Whether for work or leisure purposes if members are visiting forested, woodland, heathland and moorland areas or suburban parklands the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is urging people to be aware of the risk of 'Tick bites". The risks are higher if you are working, camping or involved in outdoor activities in these areas.
Also, during the month of April the Borreliosis and Associated Diseases Awareness UK (BADA UK) Charity organise an annual campaign to raise awareness regarding the dangers of Tick bites, and how to reduce the chance of infection. The campaign is held in early spring, when the weather gets warmer, people spend more time outdoors, and ticks become more active. The aim of the April 'Tick Prevention Week' is to raise awareness of the dangers of tick bites and of how to reduce the chances of contracting a number of potentially devastating infections which ticks can transmit to people.
Ticks - What are they ?
Ticks are can be nasty dangerous parasites that can carry serious debilitating diseases such as Lyme disease, Louping ill and a number of other infections that ticks can potentially carry which can affect birds, mammals and humans. Latest trends show a rise in tick numbers. Ticks are tiny insect-like parasites which attach to your skin and feed on your blood. Ticks are found in moist, coarse, permanent vegetation in woodland, heath and moorland including bracken, leaf litter and decaying mats of grass and sedges, particularly in places where deer live, attaching themselves to passing animals and humans. Some ticks carry infections that can affect humans, the most serious of which is Lyme disease. Although seldom fatal, Lyme disease is a debilitating condition that can remain in the body for many years, affecting the nerves and occasionally even leading to chronic arthritis and heart conditions. Lyme disease is no longer considered to be 'rare'. In the United Kingdom, Lyme disease and other infections are carried by Ticks which feed on sheep, deer and other wild mammals and birds.
Ticks are very small (about the size of a poppy seed or sesame-seed), and are difficult to see and can easily be overlooked, so it is important to be aware of the risk of Tick bite. When they have fed they can swell to the size of a coffee bean. Check for attached ticks regularly and remove them promptly. If a tick is detected and removed quickly it will lower the risk of infection and harm being done. Not all ticks are infected with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease but the numbers infected vary and so does transmission. Therefore it is safer to assume that there are infected ticks present and to take sensible precautions. A Tick bite usually looks like a lump with a small scab on the skin surface at the site of the bite. Tick numbers are increasing and whilst they are usually associated with the countryside they are also present in our urban parks and gardens.
High Risk Areas
Areas inhabited by Deer are particularly suitable habitats for Ticks, but not every Tick infested area has a high risk of Lyme Disease. The main feeding hosts however are small mammals such as field mice, voles, hedge hogs and birds including blackbirds and pheasants. However, any passing warm blooded host will make a suitable meal. Mice, voles, migrating birds, game birds, foxes, badgers, hares, rabbits, deer, cattle, sheep plus domestic dogs and people will equally be latched on to by the hooked front legs of a tick in waiting. Ticks may be found "questing" - waiting in ambush on vegetation from ground level to about 18 inches high for a suitable host to pass by.
Reports to the Health Protection Agency show there has been a rise in the number of people infected by Ticks carrying Lyme disease (Lyme Borreliosis). A significant number were acquired in the course of activity holidays, including walking, trekking and mountain-biking. Peak times for Tick bites are late spring, early summer and autumn.
UK Areas of raised incidence
Areas of raised incidence where infection has been acquired in the UK include popular holiday destinations such as Exmoor, the New Forest, Salisbury Plain, the South Downs, parts of Wiltshire and Berkshire, Thetford Forest , the Lake District, the Yorkshire moors and the Scottish Highlands and Islands. These documented areas are not exclusive however as cases of the disease are widespread and Lyme Disease Action describe the whole of the UK as endemic for Lyme disease. The HPA have confirmed cases in almost every UK county with numbers having risen dramatically so it may be a little misleading to focus only on the few areas as the full picture of Tick distribution is not yet fully understood.
The most likely time to be infected
The most likely time to be infected is in late spring, early summer or autumn as these are the peak times of the year for tick feeding. (However, tick feeding has sometimes been observed in winter conditions and they can be active at temperatures as low as 3.5 °C.). Working in areas of long grass /shrubs, heath and woods presents the most danger. Not every tick carries Lyme disease or other infective organisms and, even if the tick is infected, not every bite will transmit disease. The longer the tick remains attached, the higher the risk of disease transmission. Therefore, prompt removal using the correct technique is very important.
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is caused by infection with spiral bacteria called 'Borrelia burgdorferi'. The bacteria are spread by infected Ticks. A common symptom is a slowly expanding reddish skin rash in a ring shape, which spreads out from a tick bite, usually after about five to fourteen days and this may be the only sign of infection. It is not usually significantly painful or itchy and may gradually enlarge over many weeks if not treated with antibiotics, but will eventually disappear without treatment. However many confirmed cases do not exhibit the rash. Other common symptoms, including tiredness/fatigue, generally feeling unwell and flu-like symptoms, headaches, fever, aches and pains in muscles and joints, a stiff neck, and swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) may also be present. Some people however do not develop a rash at all, or the rash may be hidden under hair on the scalp.
If the infection is untreated the bugs may spread in the bloodstream and to other parts of the body, including the nervous system, joints and other organs, and some patients may develop more serious complications caused by tissue damage. Early detection and treatment of the disease helps to relieve the symptoms and shorten the illness. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the symptoms, particularly the rash, so that treatment can be given early. Antibiotics are usually recommended for the treatment of early Lyme disease. These medicines are very effective for treating the infection, and can prevent serious complications developing. Antibiotics can make a significant improvement to a patient's health even in late disease, as long as the dose and duration are adequate, which may mean months or years of treatment.
It is believed that the infection is not normally passed from person-to person but further research and much more study needs to be conducted. The infection can be passed between a mother and unborn child, so the statement that it does not pass person-to-person is inaccurate in this particular instance.
Sensible Precautions
People who walk through areas described above or through rough vegetation, especially during the late spring, early summer and autumn months, should minimise the risk of being bitten by an infected Tick and the HPA, NHS and Lyme Disease Charities advise people that the best way to prevent Lyme disease is by taking simple, sensible precautions as follows:
Be aware of ticks and the areas that you are most likely to come into contact with them,
Wear appropriate clothing in tick-infested areas (long sleeved shirt keep cuffs fastened and long trousers tucked into socks, gaiters or boots).
Shoes or boots rather than open sandals,
Light coloured clothing fabrics are useful, as it is easier to see ticks against a light background.
Check that ticks are not brought home on clothes.
Consider using insect repellents, e.g. DEET-based are most effective to protect bare skin on arms and legs.
Thoroughly inspect skin frequently and remove any attached ticks.
If you find a tick, correctly remove it immediately, preferably with pointed tweezers or a tick removal tool (available from many vets or pet shops), and follow the instructions provided. This tool will grip the head of the tick. With pointed tweezers - Grasp it firmly as close as possible to the skin, and pull firmly and steadily without jerking or twisting until it disengages itself - try not to squash it since it could squirt blood. Wash your hands and the bite area afterwards, using disinfectant on the wound and tweezers.
At the end of the day, carefully examine your body for ticks, including their favourite feeding places, especially check in skin folds, the backs of knees, groin, under the arms and on the scalp, head and neck areas.
