Users' questions

What were your first symptoms of Lyme?

What were your first symptoms of Lyme?

Stage 1: Early localized Lyme disease (1 to 4 weeks)

  • An expanding, circular red rash (erythema migrans).
  • Flu-like symptoms, with or without the rash. The symptoms include: Lack of energy. Headache and stiff neck. Fever and chills. Muscle and joint pain. Swollen lymph nodes.

What is the key symptom of Lyme disease?

Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks.

What are the symptoms of Stage 2 Lyme disease?

Symptoms of early disseminated Lyme disease (stage 2) may occur weeks to months after the tick bite, and may include: Numbness or pain in the nerve area. Paralysis or weakness in the muscles of the face. Heart problems, such as skipped heartbeats (palpitations), chest pain, or shortness of breath.

How long after a tick bite do symptoms appear?

Symptoms usually start 1 to 4 weeks after the tick bite, with up to 90% of people developing an expanding, circular red skin rash. Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Symptoms usually start about 2 to 14 days after the tick bite.

How much doxycycline should I take for Lyme?

In areas that are highly endemic for Lyme disease, a single prophylactic dose of doxycycline (200 mg for adults or 4.4 mg/kg for children of any age weighing less than 45 kg) may be used to reduce the risk of acquiring Lyme disease after the bite of a high risk tick bite.

What does joint pain from Lyme disease feel like?

The joint may feel warm to the touch or cause pain during movement. Joint swelling can come and go or move between joints, and it may be difficult to detect in the shoulder, hip, or jaw. Lyme arthritis typically develops within one to a few months after infection.

How long does a Lyme flare up last?

These symptoms can include fatigue, joint or muscle aches, and cognitive dysfunction. They may last up to six months or longer. These symptoms can interfere with a person’s normal activities and may cause emotional distress as a result. However, most people’s symptoms improve after six months to a year.

How long do you take doxycycline for Lyme?

Treatment for 10 to 14 days is recommended (10 d for doxycycline and 14 d for amoxicillin, cefuroxime axetil, or phenoxymethylpenicillin). Longer treatment was previously recommended. Erythema migrans typically shows improvement within a few days after the institution of appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Can a stiff neck be a sign of Lyme disease?

Sure, that stiff neck you’re feeling could be the result of your bad mattress—but it could also be a sign of Lyme disease. The Bay Area Lyme Foundation notes that when some people are first infected, a stiff neck—often accompanied by a headache—is one of the first symptoms they experience.

What are the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease?

Notes Fever and other general symptoms may occur in the absence of rash. A small bump or redness at the site of a tick bite that occurs immediately and resembles a mosquito bite, is common. This irritation generally goes away in 1-2 days and is not a sign of Lyme disease.

Why do people with Lyme disease get chills?

Well, this could be because Lyme disease is wreaking havoc inside your system. LymeDisease.org notes that approximately 60 percent of patients with Lyme in the early stages report having chills. People tend to associate hepatitis, or liver inflammation, with things like alcohol abuse and hepatitis viruses.

What are the signs and symptoms of erythema migrans?

These include fever, rash, facial paralysis, and arthritis. Early Signs and Symptoms (3 to 30 Days After Tick Bite) “Classic” Erythema Migrans Rash. Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes may occur in the absence of rash.