Thursday 24 August 2017

Lyme disease - some resources

Lyme disease, first identified in the town of that name in Connecticut in the 1970s, is a bacterial infection spread by ticks.   Lyme disease is mainly found (according to Fit For Travel) in Europe, North America and temperate areas of Asia.  The ticks pick up the infection from infected animals, then get attached to humans, who they bite.   Being bitten is a risk in wooded areas, moors and heaths.

It has been in the news in the UK lately following reports that Matt Dawson contracted it, was misdiagnosed, and had to undergo heart surgery.

Here are some resources about it, that you could bring to the attention of clinical colleagues who might encounter it (although those clinicians are perhaps more likely to be GPs).

Fit For Travel - travel health information from NHS Scotland. 

NHS Choices -  this also lists areas of England and Scotland reported to have a high population of ticks, and information on how to remove one.

Public Health England - includes information about diagnosis, signs and epidemiology, as well as a Factsheet about tick bite risks and prevention of disease.  Under diagnosis and treatment there is a suggested referral pathway for patients.

Outside the UK, there is:

CanLyme   

CDC  - a very comprehensive site.   This site also includes information about "Lyme carditis" .   

PubMed search for lyme carditis will also search for lyme myocarditis, another name.   Any search of the literature also ought to take into account that Lyme disease (or its causative agent Borrelia burgdorferi) can cause heart block, pericarditis and heart failure!


Patient support groups include Lyme Disease UK, and Lyme Disease Action.

(Links were checked on 6th February 2018)

Thursday 10 August 2017

Pre International Clinical Librarian Conference Meal Opportunity and optional Orientation Walk




Coming to the International Clinical Librarian Conference or thinking of coming?
Then join us for a pre-Conference meal and start that your networking super early. On Wednesday 20th of September, we will be going to Zizzi an Italian Restaurant on Belvoir Street in Leicester (for non Leicestershire people that’s pronounced Beaver! – weird but true). Just email sarah.sutton@uhl-tr.nhs.uk. if you are interested in joining us.

 We will be having a special set menu, with plenty of choices for £19.95.That way that everyone can have their own bill and we don’t have to hire a statistician to work out who had the deep fried camembert (that’s not on the menu, so sorry to fried cheese lovers amongst you).

The table(s) are booked for 7pm to allow those of you with jetlag to get to bed early and play catchup on your sleep. If anyone would like a city walking tour before the meal, meet Sarah at the restaurant at 6 pm and she will take you for a quick look at the highlights of Leicester’s City Centre. This walk is not suitable for those with mobility issues because of the time limitations, but those with such issues are welcome to contact Sarah for a slower paced tour earlier in the day.