Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by the bite of infected ticks, mainly those of the Ixodes genus. It causes a range of symptoms that vary by stage of infection. Early signs often include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic expanding rash called erythema migrans, which may look like a "bull's-eye." If untreated, the infection can spread to cause more severe symptoms including facial paralysis, arthritis with joint pain (especially in knees), heart palpitations, neurological problems like meningitis and nerve pain, dizziness, and inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. In some cases, symptoms may persist after treatment, known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. Key manifestations by stage:
- Early (3-30 days after tick bite): fever, rash, fatigue, headache.
- Later (days to months): severe headaches, facial palsy, arthritis, heart symptoms, nerve pain.
- Late (months to years if untreated): chronic joint swelling, neurological problems, cognitive issues.
Lyme disease can affect skin, joints, heart, and nervous system. It is treatable with antibiotics, particularly when caught early. This comprehensive overview describes what Lyme disease does to the body and its stages of symptoms.
