Is it Covid or Lyme disease? Key symptom to spot as infections cause similar signs

Much is known about the novel virus Covid causing a respiratory infection seen across the world.

But Lyme disease still remains a relatively little-known illness in the UK.

The disease is caused by being bitten by a parasitic tick, resulting in a number of similar symptoms to Covid.

Ticks are most active in the spring and summer months when the weather warms up, but can be found all year round.

Ticks that carry Lyme disease are found all over the UK.

High-risk areas include grassy and wooded areas found in both southern and northern England.

Lyme disease is said to have around 2,000 to 3,000 cases a year.

Map showing high risk areas for Lyme disease in the UK (John Tulloch/Lyme Disease Action Press Team)

Symptoms of Lyme disease

Signs you may have been bitten by a tick and have early Lyme disease include:

• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle and joint aches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Erythema migrans (EM) rash.

What is an E M rash?

The rash from a tick bite may look like a bullseye on a dartboard, according to the NHS (NHS WS)

EM is a rash that frequently appears as one of the first symptoms of Lyme disease.

This is the key difference between a Lyme disease infection and Covid.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an EM rash occurs in about 70 to 80% of all infected people at the site of the tick bite.

An EM rash appears as a “bulls-eye” appearance which is warm to the touch. It is not usually itchy or painful.

Symptoms of Covid

Main symptoms warning of Covid include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea.

Main difference between Lyme disease and Covid

Immunologist Dr Purvi Parikh said: “The biggest difference is the site of entry into the body for both illnesses.

“Influenza, cold viruses, and coronavirus enter the body through the nasal passageways and lung tissues, so defining symptoms of these infections are most often respiratory.

“Tick-borne microbes, on the other hand, enter the body through the skin and bloodstream, so symptoms often include rashes and odd systematic symptoms.”

Both Covid and Lyme disease cause similar symptoms (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

How to lower your risk of Lyme disease and Covid

According to the CDC, to avoid your risk of Lyme disease a person needs to:

• Limit time spent in grassy, brushy or wooded areas
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers when in those type of areas
• Use insect repellent to protect against the ticks.

For Covid, the CDC advises:

• Limit close, person-to-person contact with those outside your immediate household
• Wear face masks if in big crowds
• Wash your hands regularly.