How to Recognize Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Each year close to 20,000 people in the United States contract Lyme disease, with the majority of the cases occurring in the Northeastern states. The disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans via the bite from an infected black-legged tick. Treatment involves a cycle of antibiotics that cure most patients as long as they are administered in the early symptom stages of the disease. Read on to learn how to recognize symptoms of lyme disease.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Watch for red circular rashes known as erythema migrans appearing three to 30 days after the tick bite. This is usually the first symptom of a Lyme disease infection. The rash often has a clear center giving it the appearance of a "bull's-eye" but not in every case. During the first few weeks, the rash will expand to eight inches or more in diameter and may be warm to the touch.

2. Look for flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, headaches, body aches and swollen lymph nodes.

3. Note any development of painful arthritis or joint aches sometimes resulting in severe swelling of one or both knees.

4. Be aware of more serious symptoms such as minor paralysis of the face, severe headaches, irregular heartbeat, chest pains, dizziness and psychological changes.

Tips & Warnings

• Use insect repellent when hiking in the woods and always perform "tick checks" periodically throughout the hike. Keep your shirt tucked in and wear your pants tucked into your socks to keep the ticks on the outside of your clothing.

• Avoid tick heavy areas such as overgrown grass, brush and leaf litter.

• If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. The longer Lyme disease goes untreated the less likely you'll be able to make a full recovery.

• Not all patients with Lyme disease experience the same symptoms. Occasionally the red circular rashes do not occur, so it is important to be mindful of all the possible symptoms especially if you have been in contact with ticks.