The most common illness spread by ticks in North America is Lyme disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. The illness is spread by a bacterium called borrelia burgdorferi. Those who develop the condition often suffer from side effects like rash, flu-like symptoms, migratory joint pain and neurological problems. Unfortunately, it is possible to misdiagnose this illness because it shares symptoms with other diseases. WrongDiagnosis.com lists lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis as common conditions doctors mistake Lyme disease for.
Lupus
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease where the body assaults its own tissues and organs, says the Mayo Clinic. The effects of lupus vary greatly, making it more challenging to diagnose and easier to confuse with other conditions. It causes symptoms like fever, fatigue, joint pain and skin lesions. These symptoms usually occur in waves that don't persist for long periods of time. All of these symptoms can present themselves in people with Lyme disease, as well.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a serious disorder that causes debilitating tiredness. This tiredness can be so severe that even sleep isn't enough to alleviate symptoms. The condition may be worsened by physical and mental effort. Both Lyme disease and CFS cause tiredness and neurological problems, causing the two to appear similar.
Fibromyalgia
In very much the same way as CFS and lupus, fibromyalgia causes both exhaustion and join pain. Fibromyalgia also often causes tender muscles that are sensitive to the touch as well as headaches. The condition is known for sometimes causing problems in thinking and memory, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine. These types of symptoms can sometimes closely resemble those of Lyme disease and cause doctors to mistake the two.
Multiple Sclerosis
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines multiple sclerosis as an erratic illness that affects the central nervous system and might be an autoimmune disease. Much like lupus, multiple sclerosis seems to cause the body to attack itself. Patients who suffer from the disorder frequently complain about mental problems and muscle weakness. It is also possible for these people to experience physical pain. It is possible for doctors to mistake the Lyme disease as multiple sclerosis due to similar kinds of mental problems and general weakness symptoms.
