Do I have Lymes dosease?

Hi Karen - Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. The ticks whch cause this are found in temperate forested regions throughout Europe and northern Asia as well as the Northeastern, north central, and Pacific coastal regions of North America.

Whether or not there is Lyme disease in Australia is controversial. Here is what Wikipedia says: In Australia there is no definitive evidence for the existence of B. burgdorferi or for any other tick-borne spirochete that may be responsible for a local syndrome being reported as Lyme disease. Cases of neuroborreliosis have been documented in Australia but are often ascribed to travel to other continents.

There are a number of tick-borne illnesses. As a starting point to better understand them you may find the information provided by the Centers for Disease control helpful: http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/

There is a tick-borne illness in Australia called Q Fever. Here's information about it: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/786900-overview

Austrailia also has Queensland Tick Typhus and Flinders Island Spotted Fever; two similar rickettsia that cause comparable symptoms, including rash, an eschar at the bite site, headache, fever, flu-like symptoms and lymph node tenderness. Both diseases are not commonly reported and are confined to the east coast of Australia down into Tasmania.

To follow up on your condition you may want to see a physician who's an infectious disease specialist with international experience.

Good luck to you, Pat