Tick ​​bite: Prevention is better than no cure

Still an epidemic

The small spider-like animal, the tick, is a growing threat in the Netherlands, with Lyme disease being the biggest threat. Each year, approximately 27,000 people develop Lyme disease after a tick bite. The Lyme Fund is committed to increased research and awareness, with the goal of better prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Their efforts are vital in the fight against this silent epidemic.

Ban, ban, ban

If you live in a wooded area, the most normal thing in the world is to check your body for ticks before you go to sleep. Even after a run in the woods, that’s the first thing you do. Not without reason, since an unconscious bite from this tiny and harmless black creeper has no effect.

“I was able to experience this myself last year, when my doctor did not respond appropriately to the visible and invisible symptoms. After a course of doxycycline the symptoms disappeared.

Fred Verdult is the founder and director of the Lyme Fund. Verdullt himself has chronic Lyme so he knows the effects of the disease. His involvement stems from a deep desire to improve both the knowledge and treatment of Lyme disease.

Verdult has been committed to raising awareness of Lyme for a long time: among outdoor enthusiasts, the medical world and policy makers. The Lyme Fund plays an important role in promoting tick bite prevention, improving care and encouraging collaboration between different stakeholders.

The second in the Netherlands

The tick is a small spider-like creature. Mainly because of the mild winters and the fact that it is getting warmer, more and more crickets are coming to the Netherlands and are active almost all year round. Trout are still most active in the spring and summer. This is why a ‘warning sign’ is appropriate during the summer holidays. It is often people who come from urban areas to nature for a holiday who underestimate the dangers of a tick bite or don’t think about it at all.

In the past, you could almost only get a tick bite in nature reserves. Today there is greenery everywhere, including city parks. And even better: a third of tick bites are kept in the garden!

After a bite

Infectious Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted by tick bites. Lyme can lead to serious health problems, with some patients no longer able to lead a normal life. Suicide is a real risk for many people with Lyme disease.

After a bite, a ring-shaped red rash often appears where you were bitten. The first symptoms can be similar to the flu: fever, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. Without treatment, the bacteria can spread to the joints, the heart and the nervous system and lead to arthritis, neurological problems and heart complaints, for example. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent serious complications. And even better: try to prevent tick bites! The most important thing is to check your body for ticks if you have been in the green and remove ticks as soon as possible, using a tick removal card for example.

Helped by corona

Lyme disease has never received the attention it deserves worldwide. Since many symptoms are very general, many patients are asked if the complaints are not psychological. Fortunately, change is happening now. Verdult: “Corona disease leads to a very serious condition in a small number of people: prolonged Covid. This condition is very similar to Lyme disease. Millions of people around the world are suffering from Covid. That impact is creating a movement and that movement is now also looking at Lyme.”

Lyme disease and Covid are longstanding conditions in which people can develop a very serious condition after infection. The immune system and inflammation play a big role in this. Much research is still needed to understand how this works. Many studies on Covid also look at Lyme disease. This could lead to progress in the fight against Lyme.

Meeting of the House of Representatives

It was the Lyme Fund that initiated the establishment of a collaboration between 15 organizations in the field of chronic Lyme, prolonged covid, ME/CFS and Q fever (collectively known as PAIS). They arranged a meeting in the House of Representatives building. The meeting was presented by the director of Lyme Fund, Fred Verdullt and Member of Parliament for GroenLinks-PvdA Julian Bushoff. During the meeting it was discussed what problems people will have with these conditions and what politicians can do about them.

And in particular, a topic was discussed that may not be so popular, but that could make a wonderful difference: medical, national registration of all patients with these conditions. The management of patient records of Cystic Fibrosis patients and HIV patients said that such a patient record ensures a powerful acceleration of research on the disease and treatments. The Lyme Fund is committed to implementing such registration for these infectious diseases as well. This is only possible with the generous support of donors.

House of Representatives Meeting June 3, 2024