Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of Lyme disease in humans occur in three stages.
Stage 1 (early infection) During Stage 1, a red rash develops at the site of the tick bite. This rash, known as erythema migrans, is seen in 60-80% of infected individuals. It is characterized by an enlarging, red circular patch that can appear from 3 days to 1 month following the tick bite. An allergic reaction to tick saliva can also occur at the site. This rash can be confused with the rash of Lyme disease. Allergic reactions to tick saliva are the total opposite of the rash of Lyme disease in that they do not expand and disappear quickly.
Stage 2 (dissemination stage) occurs days to weeks following the infection. At this stage, the spirochetes spread to other body tissues and the symptoms include:
- fatigue
- chills and fever
- headache
- muscle and joint pain
- swollen lymph nodes
- secondary annular skin lesions
Stage 3 (persistent infection) Some symptoms and signs of Lyme disease may not appear until weeks, months, or years after a tick bite. Stage three involves periods of joint pain, meningitis, Bell's palsy, cardiac involvement, and migratory pain to the joints, tendons, muscle and bone. As a result, arthritis is likely to occur as well as nervous system irregularities.
In 11% of people, the development of chronic Lyme arthritis can lead to erosion of cartilage and/or bone. Other problems include neurologic complications such as depression, disturbances in memory, mood, or sleep patterns, and sensations of numbness and tingling in the hands or feet. There is a great number of reports of neuropsychiatric effects associated with Lyme Disease.
