Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness named for the town where a number of cases were first diagnosed in the 1970s. Lyme disease, which is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, is transmitted through tick bites to humans and some animals. Lyme disease symptoms occur in three stages: early localized, early disseminated, and late, the Merck Manual states. Some people bitten by ticks never have any symptoms, others have only early symptoms, and others develop long-term sequelae. Acute Lyme disease occurs in the first few weeks after a tick bite and is usually diagnosed by history and symptoms.
Rash
Erythema migrans (EM) is a distinctive rash found in at least 75 percent of people with Lyme disease, the Merck Manual states. The rash starts as a small red bump or pimple at the site of the bite between three to 32 days after the bite. It's important not to confuse EM with a localized allergic reaction at the site of the bite that many people without Lyme disease develop. A localized reaction usually disappears within a week after the bite.
The rash of EM spreads, developing a bulls-eye appearance, with darker red bands separated by paler bands of skin. The center area may be darker red, hot to the touch and slightly sunken. Half of the people who develop the bulls-eye rash also develop lesions on other parts of the body, away from the bite. EM normally lasts 3 to 4 weeks in people not being treated with antibiotics, the drug of choice for Lyme disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Musculoskeletal Symptoms
Early Lyme disease can cause stiff neck, muscle aches and pains similar to those felt by patients with the flu. This is different than the muscle and joint problems associated with late Lyme disease. Muscles aches and pains occur within days after the rash appears; in people without the rash, these symptoms may be unrecognized as Lyme disease and assumed to be a case of the flu.
Other Flu-like Symptoms
Along with muscle aches and pains, other flu-like symptoms appear within a few days of the rash. These include fever, chills, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue and lethargy. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may be given to decrease symptoms.
