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Signs & Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease, a bacterial illness, can develop after being bitten by an infected tick. Ticks are common in grassy and wooded areas. And spending time in these areas increases your risk of developing an infection. Although antibiotics are an effective treatment and they can quickly destroy the Lyme bacteria, symptoms of Lyme disease may continue or periodically recur.

  1. Rash

    • A bull's eye rash is a classic symptom of Lyme disease, and this symptom can develop within days or weeks of being bitten by an infected tick. The rash may begin as a cluster of small red bumps, and gradually spread until the bite area(s) features a red ring and a clear center.

    Joint Pain

    • If left untreated, your condition will worsen and you'll likely experience joint pain or arthritis symptoms in different parts of your body -- such as the fingers and knees. Pain may be intermittent or ongoing and it normally develops gradually and then progressively worsens over weeks or months.

    Flu-Like Symptoms

    • Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease closely resemble symptoms of the flu. Along with a rash and joint pain, you'll encounter an assortment of unpleasant symptoms such as body chills, fever, headache, body aches and fatigue. Flu-like symptoms may come and go, and they typically develop around the same time as the bull's eye rash.

    Neurological Problems

    • In some instances, Lyme disease can trigger neurological problems, wherein you may experience facial paralysis, numbness and muscle weakness. These symptoms are common in late stage cases of Lyme disease, but they can also present themselves in the weeks following an untreated infection. Other symptoms of an untreated infection include memory loss, mood swings and difficulty concentrating.

    Heart Problems

    • An untreated infection often leads to heart problems. Late stage Lyme disease can result in an irregular heartbeat, and inflammation can develop in the heart tissues. Lyme disease is serious and life threatening at this stage and the disease can cause heart failure.

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