What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

Individuals with Lyme disease may experience a variety of symptoms. A rash is the most common symptom, and often individuals will develop a target shaped red rash in the area of the bite. Other symptoms can include running a fever, being tired and achy, having headaches, and feeling cold. Being tired and feeling sick can last for several weeks even after treatment has begun. Individuals may also have pain in their joints a while after the original bite occurred. More severe symptoms such as vomiting, weakness, and cardiac issues can occur but are rare.

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Individuals with Lyme disease may experience a variety of symptoms. A rash is the most common symptom, and often individuals will develop a target shaped red rash in the area of the bite. Other symptoms can include running a fever, being tired and... More

Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:

Symptoms of Lyme disease vary, and they range from a rash and flu-like symptoms, to more serious issues like meningitis and arthritis.

Days and weeks after the tick bite:

For more than 80 percent of people, one of the earliest signs of Lyme disease is a rash at the location of the tick bite. Contrary to popular belief, the rash will not always have the classic target shape of red concentric rings that people have come to associate with Lyme disease. In fact, this bull's eye-shaped rash appears in less than half of all cases. When it does, it begins as a small raised red dot, or papule, at the site of the initial tick bite, generally 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. Most patients do not even recall ever being bitten. Over several days to weeks, it can grow in size, with red expanding borders and often a clear center. Several rings of redness may appear and the rash can grow to over 20 cm in diameter.

In patients who develop a rash, it's more common for the rash to be solid and red. Other early symptoms, appearing in 30 to 50 percent of Lyme disease cases, include:

Fever
Chills
Flu-like symptoms
Headache
Stiff neck
Myalgias (muscle pain)
Polyarthralgias (joint pain)
Fatigue

Weeks and months after the tick bite, early disseminated Lyme disease may occur, resulting in:

Possible cardiac issues
Central or peripheral nervous system issues, resulting in headache, fatigue, stiff neck, and malaise, and includes such diagnoses as Lyme meningitis
Meningitis overall central nervous system (CNS) or peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement in 10-20 percent
Cranial neuropathy (diseased or damaged cranial nerves) overall CNS or PNS involvement in 10-20 percent
Radiculoneuropathy (a disease of the spinal nerves and nerve roots) overall CNS or PNS involvement in 10-20 percent
Atroventricular nodal block (a blockage in the heart) overall cardiac involvement in 4-10 percent
Pericarditis (an inflammation of the pericardium, or the fibrous sac surrounding the heart) overall cardiac involvement in 4-10 percent
Myopericarditis (inflammation of the heart's muscular wall) overall cardiac involvement in 4-10 percent
Eye involvement may occur but is uncommon

Months to years after the tick bite:

Arthritis up to 60 percent of untreated patients, most often monoarticular and large joint
Encephalopathy subtle cognitive dysfunction may occur but is uncommon
Polyneuropathy distal paresthesias or radicular pain may occur but is uncommon

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More Related Answers from Johns Hopkins Medicine

Symptoms of Lyme disease vary, and they range from a rash and flu-like symptoms, to more serious issues like meningitis and arthritis. Days and weeks after the tick bite: For more than 80 percent of people, one of the earliest signs of Lyme disease... More

Natural Standard, The Authority on Integrative Medicine answered:

Signs and symptoms vary widely because Lyme disease can affect various parts of the body. Not everyone with the disease will have all of the signs and symptoms.

Skin: After being bitten by a tick, a small, red bump may appear within a few days to a month, often at the site of the tick bite (the groin, belt area, or behind the knees). The area may be warm to the touch and mildly tender. Over the next few days, the redness expands, forming a rash that may be as small as a dime or as large as 12 inches across. The bite site often resembles a bull's-eye, with a red ring surrounding a clear area and a red center. The rash, called erythema migrans, is one of the hallmarks of Lyme disease, affecting about 70-80% percent of infected individuals. Erythema migrans is an early-stage symptom of Lyme disease.
Flu-like symptoms: Flu-like symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, and a headache. These symptoms may accompany the rash.
Migratory joint pain: If the infection is not treated, the individual may develop bouts of severe joint pain and swelling several weeks to months after being infected. The knees are especially likely to be affected, but the pain can shift from one joint to another.
Neurological problems: In some cases, inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain (meningitis), temporary paralysis of one side of the face (Bell's palsy), numbness or weakness in the limbs, and impaired muscle movement may occur weeks, months, or even years after an untreated infection. Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and changes in mood or sleep habits also can be symptoms of late-stage Lyme disease.
Other signs and symptoms: Some individuals may develop heart problems, such as an arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, several weeks after infection. This complication is rare and usually does not last more than a few days or weeks. Eye inflammation, hepatitis (liver inflammation), and severe fatigue are also possible.

You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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More Related Answers from Natural Standard, The Authority on Integrative Medicine

Signs and symptoms vary widely because Lyme disease can affect various parts of the body. Not everyone with the disease will have all of the signs and symptoms. Skin: After being bitten by a tick, a small, red bump may appear within a few days... More

Healthwise answered:

The symptoms of Lyme disease depend on the stage of the disease. You may first notice symptoms weeks to months after the tick bite. If the disease isn't treated, it may progress from mild symptoms to serious, long-term disabilities.

In the first stage, you may have a rash ( erythema migrans ) at the site of the tick bite. You may also have a lack of energy or a headache and stiff neck. Sometimes people have no symptoms at this stage.

In the second stage, symptoms may include memory problems and pain and weakness in the arms and legs.

In the third stage, symptoms may include swelling and pain (like arthritis) in the joints, not being able to control facial muscles and numbness and tingling in the hands, feet or back.

If you don't have symptoms during stage 1, your first symptoms may be those found in stage 2 or 3.