Lyme disease targets different parts of the body, so each case may present with very disparate symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some patients may experience many symptoms associated with the disease, while others will only suffer one or two. Having information on the signs of Lyme disease helps patients seek treatment earlier.
Rash
The first sign of Lyme disease listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a rash that is circular and red. This rash is termed erythema migrans, or EM. Seventy to eighty percent of patients with Lyme disease develop this symptom three to thirty days after the initial tick bite. The rash is described as a slowly expanding rash that grows as large as 12 inches in diameter. The center of the rash often clears and this results in a bull's eye appearance. Patients may exhibit EM rashes on other parts of their body, but this usually occurs after several days.
Flu-like Symptoms
Fever, fatigue, chills and headaches have been listed by the Mayo Clinic as possible manifestations of Lyme disease. These symptoms occur as the EM rash appears. These symptoms without the rash may point to another type of disease, but any patient that has a history of a tick bite and is currently experiencing flu-like symptoms should be checked by a medical professional.
Heart Disease
Heart disease can occur is patients who have a case of Lyme disease that has spread throughout the body, according to USA Today. Symptoms of this condition include dizziness, difficulty breathing, and an abnormal heart beat. These symptoms tend to disappear within weeks.
Joint Pain
Lyme disease can cause joint pain if not treated, according to the Mayo Clinic. The pain can occur weeks to months after infection, and can be associated with swelling around the joints. The knees are affected most often, however the pain can move to different joints.
Neurological Symptoms
If Lyme disease is not treated, then, as the CDC states, patients can develop discrete neurological symptoms. Patients may experience paralysis of muscles on one side of the face (called Bell's Palsy), severe headaches, neck rigidity (usually caused by an infection of the coverings of the brain), and shooting pains that can disturb sleep. The Mayo Clinic describes memory loss, behavioral changes, and difficulty concentrating as other neurological symptoms of late-stage Lyme disease. These symptoms can last weeks, months, or years after the initial infection.
