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Bush Had Brush with Lyme Disease

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President George W. Bush had a suspected brush with Lyme disease last year that was treated and cleared up, the White House said on Wednesday, citing his annual physical that deemed him to be in "superior" health.

"The president remains in excellent health and is fit for duty," according to a summary of his medical check-up. "All data suggest that he will remain so for the duration of his presidency."

The only significant new disclosure on Bush's health appeared to be the discovery of a rash in August 2006 that was described as "consistent with early, localized Lyme disease (and that was) treated, with complete resolution and without recurrence."

Lyme disease is an infection normally spread to humans through tick bites and which is most prevalent in rural and wooded areas of the northeastern and midwestern United States.

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  Though Bush apparently showed only a minor symptom, more serious effects can include flu-like fever, joint swelling, fatigue and even temporary paralysis.

Bush's physical was conducted in sessions spread out over several days instead of the usual single checkup. It followed the removal of five small growths from his colon that were found to be noncancerous last month during a routine procedure.

"Doctors have determined that the president remains in superior fitness for a man his age -- anybody who's seen him on the bike or out and about certainly knows that," White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters.

Bush's weight dropped to 192 pounds from 196 pounds a year earlier, the exam showed.

The results were mostly in line with those released in August of last year.

Bush, 61, rides his mountain bike several times a week and also does elliptical training, free-weights, stretching and low-impact workouts on a treadmill.

Mountain biking became his favorite sport after he had to give up running several years ago because of knee problems.

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