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Other people don't have any symptoms in the early stages of Lyme
disease and do not remember having had a tick bite. About half the
people infected with Lyme disease develop a rash within 1 to 4 weeks.
For people who live in areas where Lyme disease most often occurs-in
the United States along the Atlantic coast, the Midwest, and parts of
Oregon and California-the circular rash is usually a sure sign of Lyme
disease, especially when it appears during the summer months.
Some people with Lyme disease will have flu-like symptoms with or
without a rash. These symptoms may include:
Lack of energy, which is the most common symptom.
In some cases of Lyme disease, the person does not notice any
symptoms during this stage.
disease and do not remember having had a tick bite. About half the
people infected with Lyme disease develop a rash within 1 to 4 weeks.
For people who live in areas where Lyme disease most often occurs-in
the United States along the Atlantic coast, the Midwest, and parts of
Oregon and California-the circular rash is usually a sure sign of Lyme
disease, especially when it appears during the summer months.
Some people with Lyme disease will have flu-like symptoms with or
without a rash. These symptoms may include:
Lack of energy, which is the most common symptom.
- Headache and stiff neck
- Fever and chills
- Muscle and joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
In some cases of Lyme disease, the person does not notice any
symptoms during this stage.
Early (Localized):
Some people with Lyme
disease have a rash
(called an erythema
migrans) at the site of the
tick bite. The rash is
usually circular and it
gets larger over time.
Some people with Lyme
disease have a rash
(called an erythema
migrans) at the site of the
tick bite. The rash is
usually circular and it
gets larger over time.
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Early (Disseminated):
If Lyme disease is not detected
and treated while early symptoms
are present, or if you do not have
early symptoms that trigger the
need for treatment, the infection
may affect the skin, joints,
nervous system, and heart within
weeks to months after the initial
infection.
If Lyme disease is not detected
and treated while early symptoms
are present, or if you do not have
early symptoms that trigger the
need for treatment, the infection
may affect the skin, joints,
nervous system, and heart within
weeks to months after the initial
infection.
Symptoms at this stage may include:
- Being tired
- Additional skin rashes in several places on your body that
develop as the infection spreads - Pain
- Weakness, or numbness in the arms or legs
- Inability to control the muscles of the face (paralysis of the
facial nerves) - Recurring headaches or fainting
- Poor memory and reduced ability to concentrate
- Conjunctivitis (pinkeye) or sometimes damage to deep tissue
in the eyes - Occasional rapid heartbeats (palpitations) or, in rare cases,
serious heart problems
Late:
If Lyme disease is not
promptly or effectively
treated, damage to the
joints, nerves, and
brain may develop
months or years after
you become infected
(late Lyme disease).
If Lyme disease is not
promptly or effectively
treated, damage to the
joints, nerves, and
brain may develop
months or years after
you become infected
(late Lyme disease).
Symptoms at this stage may include:
Heart, nervous system, and joint symptoms may be the first signs
of Lyme disease in people who did not have a rash or other
symptoms of early infection.
- Swelling and pain (inflammation) in the joints, especially in
the knees - Numbness and tingling in the hands, feet, or back
- Severe fatigue
- Partial facial nerve paralysis (Bell's palsy), which usually
occurs within the first few months after the tick bite - Neurologic changes, including problems with memory,
mood, or sleep and sometimes problems speaking - Chronic Lyme arthritis, which causes recurring episodes of
swelling, redness, and fluid buildup in one or more joints that
last up to 6 months at a time.
Heart, nervous system, and joint symptoms may be the first signs
of Lyme disease in people who did not have a rash or other
symptoms of early infection.