About the Onset of Lyme Disease Symptoms

Overview

Lyme disease is a type of bacterial infection that affects both animals and humans. It attacks a person's immune system, which can cause of number of other temporary and long-term health problems and symptoms. Lyme disease is transmitted by a black-legged tick commonly referred to as a deer or bear tick. In the Pacific regions of the United States, it can be transmitted by a bites from the western black-legged tick. Seeking treatment as soon as symptoms are present will assure a proper recovery.

Rash

One of the initial signs of Lyme disease is a rash, commonly referred to as erythema migrans. The circular lesions that make up this rash start off small and expand to up to 12 inches in diameter. The center of the rash may have a bull's eye appearance with a darkened reddish center, white perimeter and another reddened circle. The rash may develop other erythema migrans or lesions in other areas of the body. Some people don't feel the tick bite or know that the tick has buried its head into their skin.

Flu Like Symptoms

A person with Lyme disease may suffer from flu-like symptoms soon after contracting the disease. Lyme Disease attacks the immune system and the body does its best to fight off any type of disease or infection, which can lead to symptoms including fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and swollen or enlarged lymph nodes. Tylenol or acetaminophen can temporarily relieve most of these symptoms.

Changes in Heart Rhythm

Many people infected with Lyme disease experience changes in heart rhythm, felt as a racing heart or palpitations. The onset of the disease in the body causes the palpitations. They may also be triggered by the flu-like symptoms that are making the body work harder to complete everyday tasks. In addition to a racing heart rate, the heart can also feel like it misses or skips beats. Generally these symptoms subside once the disease is treated successfully with an antibiotic.

Pain

Early onset symptoms of Lyme disease may include intense pain or muscle aches throughout the body. Some people note shooting pains that wake them up during the night and sharp pains in their legs and arms. Some sufferers also report severe arthritis pain after contracting Lyme disease. Joint pain, swelling and inflammation are also often reported, even in individuals who have no prior history of pain or arthritis.

Neurological Symptoms

A myriad of neurological symptoms can occur at the onset of Lyme disease. Mild to severe migraine headaches, dizziness, numbness and tingling are all early signs of the disease. Some people have short-term memory problems and issues with concentration that come on suddenly after becoming infected.