Early Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease gets its name from the town of Lyme, Connecticut. The place where the illness was first identified in the United States in 1975.Lyme disease is caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacterium/spirochete, called Borrelia burgdorferi. Ticks infected with the bacterium spread the disease to humans.Lyme disease is the most common disease spread by ticks in the United States. More than 16,000 cases were reported by 45 states in 1996.

The initial symptoms are flu like, fever, headache, nausea, jaw pain, light sensitivity, red eyes, muscle pain and stiff neck. Many write this off as a flu and because the nymph stage of the tick is so tiny many do not recall a tick bite. Treatment in this early stage is critical.

The skin rash is a red circular patch about 2 inches in diameter that appears and expands around the site of the tick bite. The center may clear as it enlarges, resulting in a "bulls-eye" appearance. The rash may be warm, but it usually is not painful or itchy. Some infected people do not recognize the early symptoms and are diagnosed only after complications occur. Early symptoms can develop within a week to a few weeks of the tick bite. Other symptoms can appear weeks, months, or years later. Diagnosis of Lyme disease can be difficult. Current tests are not completely accurate, and the symptoms can mimic those of other diseases. Diagnosis is easiest when there is a skin rash.

Early Localized (Stage I) - the earliest signs and symptoms of Lyme disease, usually start within 2 days to several weeks after the bite of an infected tick. The early stage of Lyme disease is usually marked by one or more of these signs and symptoms:

• Chills and fever
• Headache
• Muscle and/or joint pain
• Swollen lymph glands
• A characteristic skin rash, called erythema migrans
• Rash/rashes at the site of the tick bite or elsewhere on the body
• Stiff neck
• Sore throat
• Ear aches
• Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye)
• Fatigue
• Swollen glands
• Muscle aches
• Joint pains
• Jaw pain
• Nausea

Early Disseminated (Stage II)- if Lyme disease is not treated, it can advance and spread from the initial site to the rest of the body. The symptoms include heart and nervous system problems. Following symptoms can occur without having the early symptoms

• Palpitations (feelings of an irregular or slow heart beat)
• Dizziness
• Mild shortness of breath
• Chronic headaches
• Stiff neck
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty remembering
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Bell’s Palsy (facial drooping)
• Pins and needles sensation in arms or legs

Symptoms may come and go in varying degrees with fluctuation from one symptom to another. There may be a period of what feels like remission only to be followed by another onset of symptoms.