Lyme Disease: Prevention and Management

Learn about Lyme disease and how to manage and prevent it

The primary purpose of this course is to educate and inform healthcare professionals about Lyme disease, a bacterial infection caught from the bite of an infected tick.

An accurate and timely diagnosis can facilitate appropriate treatment and prevent complications. In addition, clinicians can advise patients about prevention and allay their concerns.

Understand assessment and diagnosis of Lyme disease

You’ll first get an overview of Lyme disease epidemiology and find out how early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious health complications affecting the central nervous system, joints, skin, and heart.

Lyme disease is not always easy to diagnose. For example, around 20-30% of cases do not have the typical circular rash called Erythema migrans. You’ll become aware of the wide range of features that patients may present with and learn why Lyme disease tests may be hard to interpret.

Understand how to manage and prevent Lyme disease

Identifying appropriate antibiotic treatments and possible investigations for suspected Lyme disease, you’ll also discuss dealing with uncertainty, safety netting advice, follow-up, and further onward referral when necessary.

You’ll then discuss the management of Lyme disease complications and reflect on the primary prevention methods, such as awareness of high-risk areas and personal precautions to reduce the chance of being bitten by a tick.

Learn from the experts at St George’s, University of London

Guided throughout by health experts in primary care and infectious diseases from St. George’s, University of London, you’ll finish this course with a broad overview of Lyme disease epidemiology and diagnosis, as well as the treatments available to those who contract the disease.

This course will be beneficial for anyone working in healthcare and also members of the public that are interested in learning more about Lyme disease.

The main target audience will be doctors (GPs and A&E doctors) and nurses, healthcare assistants, specialist nurse practitioners working within primary care, community and hospitals, as well as public health workers.

This course will be beneficial for anyone working in healthcare and also members of the public that are interested in learning more about Lyme disease.

The main target audience will be doctors (GPs and A&E doctors) and nurses, healthcare assistants, specialist nurse practitioners working within primary care, community and hospitals, as well as public health workers.

• Describe Lyme disease and its complications in primary and secondary care.
• Identify the recommended investigations for suspected Lyme disease.
• Discuss management of Lyme disease and dealing with uncertainty, safety netting and follow-up.
• Discuss the management of ‘chronic’ Lyme disease.
• Summarise the main prevention methods of Lyme disease including tick removal and when to seek medicial advice.
• Reflect upon the controversies surrounding Lyme disease treatment, especially dealing with misinformation about Lyme disease.
• Evaluate the evidence and research on Lyme disease and future development.