Overview
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by the bite of an infected tick, common in wooded and grassy areas of North America and Europe. Caught early it is usually straightforward to treat, but if missed it can affect the joints, nervous system, and heart. A characteristic expanding rash is an early clue in many people.
Symptoms
- Expanding circular rash, sometimes shaped like a bull's-eye
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle and joint aches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Later: joint swelling, facial drooping, or nerve symptoms
Causes & risk factors
- Infection with Borrelia bacteria
- Bite from an infected tick (usually attached for many hours)
- Spending time in wooded, grassy, or brushy areas where ticks live
Treatment & self-care
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics prescribed by a clinician, and most people recover fully, especially when treated early. The type and length of treatment depend on the stage and which body systems are affected, and should be determined by a clinician. Removing attached ticks promptly and correctly lowers the risk. A licensed clinician should guide diagnosis and treatment.
See a doctor urgently if
- You develop an expanding rash after a possible tick exposure
- You have unexplained fever, fatigue, or joint pain after spending time outdoors in tick areas
- You notice facial drooping, severe headache with a stiff neck, or numbness (seek prompt care)
- You have heart palpitations, chest pain, fainting, or shortness of breath (emergency)