Lyme disease is an infectious disease found mostly in the United States and Europe. It is caused by a bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi that is found in certain types of ticks, such as the deer tick. After a person has been infected from a tick bite, the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease vary depending on the duration of the infection. The three most common signs to look for are rash, flu like symptoms and neurological changes.
Rash
The primary and most common sign of being infected with Lyme disease is the development of a rash within a few days of being bitten. The rash appears in a bull's eye pattern and usually is raised, tender and warm to the touch. The Mayo Clinic states that the bite may range in size from the size of a fingertip to as large as 12 inches in diameter. This rash known as erythema migrans, occurs in as many as many as 80 percent of people infected with Lyme disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rash associated with Lyme disease may also show up on other parts of the body and may also go away and then reappear.
Flu-like Symptoms
Another common symptom of Lyme disease is the onset of a flu-like fever with associated muscle and joint aches. Someone infected may experience general fatigue, chills, headache, arthritis and swollen lymph nodes. As time goes by and the infection goes untreated, the body's immune system begins to weaken as it tries to eliminate the spread of the disease. The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation states that in addition to fever and muscle aches, someone infected may also experience diarrhea, blurry vision, jaw pain, a stiff neck, sore throat and other physical abnormalities. Some of these physical symptoms may depend on how long the person has been infected, as some complication may not develop for several months after the initial infection.
Neurological Complications
If Lyme disease goes untreated, serious neurological problems may occur, affecting both mental and physiological outcomes. Some people may experience inflammation surrounding the brain. Another serious symptom of Lyme disease is facial paralysis, also known as Bell's Palsy. Other neurological symptoms may be weak limbs, impaired muscle tone and poor mental concentration. In the May 2007 issue of Neurology, Dr. John Halperin and associates listed the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms, including memory and cognitive difficulties, irritability, sleep disturbances, depression and headaches. The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation also states that infected persons may feel disoriented or experience emotional disturbances.
