Lyme Disease: Prevention and Management
Explore the prevalence of Lyme disease, how to recognise and treat it and how to manage it going forward.
Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
2 hours
Lyme Disease: Prevention and Management
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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.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction to Lyme disease and its assessment
Welcome to the course
Introduce yourself to other participants and the course educators, and get an overview of the learning objectives and content to be covered in the first week.
Epidemiology and incidence of Lyme Disease
We will provide a brief overview of the epidemiology and incidence of Lyme borreliosis, a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks.
Assessment of Lyme disease
We will learn about the key features in the history and examination of Lyme disease which will help inform a diagnosis.
Summary of the week
We will reflect on this week's teaching, participate in the discussion, look at the frequently asked questions and complete the quiz.
Week 2
Lyme disease management and prevention
Welcome to Week 2
An overview of this week's topics and learning objectives.
Management of Lyme Disease
We will introduce key areas of Lyme disease management with a focus on its management in primary care including the correct way to remove ticks.
Management of Lyme Disease complications
We will look at how to prevent tick bites and information for the public on Lyme disease prevention. Know more about the prevention of tick bites and when to seek help if concerned about Lyme disease or its complications.
Prevention of tick-borne diseases
We will provide guidance on how to prevent tick-borne diseases including Lyme borreliosis.
Summary of the week
This section provides an opportunity to reflect on this week's content, share your views, look at the frequently asked questions and complete the quiz.
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- 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.
Who is the course for?
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 is part of a partnership between City St George’s, University of London and FutureLearn that is coming to an end. As a result, this course will retire on 24 August 2026.
Please note that the course content, data and materials are no longer being actively updated and may not reflect the most recent developments in this subject area.
We encourage you to enrol on course before the retirement date if you wish to take part.
Who will you learn with?
BSc BA MB BChir MRCGP MA
In-Practice Fellow in primary care at the Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London
Clinical Teaching Fellow in Public Health and a salaried GP. His academic interests in population health research include physical activity, medical technology and clinical education in primary care.
Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology Specialty Trainee Registrar
MBBS MSc BSc DRCOG
Academic Clinical Fellow and GP Registrar at St George's University, London.
Bsc, Ma, MBCHB, FHEA
Academic GPST Doctor at St George's Hospital, London.
Who developed the course?
City St George's, University of London (formerly St George's)
City St George’s, University of London (formerly St George’s) School of Health and Medical Sciences is a leading provider of education in the fields of healthcare, medicine and psychology.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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