Have you been bitten by a tick? You are certainly not alone. Dogs and outdoor cats are not the only ones visited by these small arachnids. There are several different species of what we call ticks. In Sweden, the most common tick is called Ixodes ricinus in Latin. It lives for approximately 2-3 years.

It lives and thrives best in grass and undergrowth, where it waits for a passing dog or person. Once it has attached itself, it feeds on blood from its host for 1 to 2 weeks.

In some cases, a tick can carry Borrelia. It is relatively uncommon, but those affected often develop symptoms such as itching, fever and fatigue. Get tested for Lyme disease at a primary care center or take a simple home test here.