Early Symptoms of Lyme Disease

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By Melody Hughes
eHow Contributing Writer

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Lyme disease may occur when an individual is bitten by a deer tick that is infected with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Ticks carrying the disease thrive in areas thickly covered with grass and trees. Lyme disease can be completely cured if it is aggressively treated with antibiotics during the early stages of the illness. Lyme disease can be diagnosed with a lab test that looks for antibodies to the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria.

Rash

The tick's bite may leave a red bump on the skin. The bump may feel tender and warm. A bull's eye rash called erythema migrans may develop surrounding the bump.

Fever

A person in the early stages of Lyme disease may develop at high fever. Chills may also be experienced.

Aches and Pains

Individuals with lyme disease may have a lingering headache and other aches throughout the body.

Joint Pain

After a few weeks, if the Lyme disease is untreated, affected individuals may experience extreme pain and swelling in various joints of the body. Often, the knee joints are the most painful.

Neurological Symptoms

If left untreated for more than a few weeks, an individual with Lyme disease may experience facial paralysis, weak and numb limbs and weakened movement of the muscles.