Symptoms of lyme disease
Symptoms of Lyme disease depend on the stage of disease.
Symptoms of early localized Lyme disease (Stage 1) begin days or weeks after infection. They are similar to the flu and may include:
- Fever and chills
- General ill feeling
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Stiff neck
The rash of Lyme disease is typically a slowly enlarging red patch of skin, usually expanding to at least 7 inches in diameter. There may be a flat or slightly raised red spot at the site of the tick bite. Often, there is a clear area in the center, or “bull’s eye” appearance. This rash is called erythema migrans. Without treatment, it can last several weeks and secondary patches may appear at distant sites.
Symptoms of Lyme disease may come and go.
Symptoms of early disseminated Lyme disease (Stage 2) may occur weeks to months after the tick bite, and may include:
- Numbness or pain in the distribution of a nerve
- Paralysis or weakness in the muscles of the face, especially a facial nerve palsy
- Meningitis, characterized by severe headache, stiff neck, fever
- Heart problems, such as skipped heartbeats, which can cause lightheadedness or fainting.
Symptoms of late disseminated Lyme disease (Stage 3) can occur months or years after the infection. The most common symptom is fluid accumulation in one or two large joints at a time, that comes and goes over months. Knees are especially affected.
Late Lyme disease can also cause neuropathy (numbness and pain in the peripheral nerves).