Symptom Check

Lyme disease occurs in approximately 2% of patients bitten by an infected tick. Symptoms may occur with or without the characteristic skin lesion. The symptoms resemble the “flu” and include fever, headache, chills, muscle pain, and lethargy.  

The most specific diagnostic sign of early Lyme disease is the round or oval single skin lesion at the site of the tick bite that occurs in approximately 70-80% of patients. The skin lesion starts 3-30 days after the tick bite and gradually expands over a period of several days, reaching up to 12 inches across. The classic bull’s-eye appearance is less common than a uniformly red appearance. Misdiagnosis may occur when the lesion is attributed to a spider bite or other types of skin infections. 

Untreated, the infection may spread to other parts of the body within a few days to weeks. Multiple skin lesions may occur during this period and can be misdiagnosed as hives or other types of rashes. Neurologic symptoms may include facial palsy, severe headaches and neck stiffness due to meningitis.

Not everyone infected with the bacteria gets ill during the acute phase of the illness. After several months, approximately 60% of patients with untreated infection will begin to have intermittent bouts of arthritis, with joint pain and swelling.  Large joints are most often affected, particularly the knees. In addition, up to 5% of untreated patients may develop chronic neurological complaints months to years after infection.

Most cases of Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics, especially if treatment is begun early in the course of illness.  However, some patients with Lyme disease have symptoms that last months to years after treatment with antibiotics.  These symptoms can include muscle and joint pains, arthritis, cognitive defects, sleep disturbance, or fatigue.  The cause of these symptoms is not known.  

All of the symptoms of Lyme disease can occur with other diseases as well.  If you believe you may have Lyme disease, it is important that you consult your health care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.