Symptoms of Lyme Disease

As it progresses, Lyme disease causes damaging effects to different parts of the body in various ways. It is a result of bacteria entering the body by means of a tick bite and has different phases. These phases are generally referred to as early localised disease, where skin inflammation occurs as a result of the initial tick bite; early disseminated disease, at which stage the heart and nervous system becomes infected; and late disease, which results in inflammation of the brain as well as sensory and motor nerve damage. The following is a detailed description of symptoms for each phase of the illness:

Early Localised Disease

Within a few days to a few weeks of being bitten by the tick, the area around the bite becomes red and resembles a rash in persons with lighter complexions. Persons with darker skin-tones might notice what appears to be a bruise around the bite area. Some persons, however, may not have this accompanying rash and so may not realise they are infected until later. This rash/bruise is accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as joint and muscle stiffness, swollen glands, fatigue and headache. The rash/bruise at the site of the tick bite is a clear indication of early localised disease. If the rash/bruise develops at a site apart from where the tick bite occurred, however, this can indicate disseminated Lyme disease.

Early Disseminated and Late Lyme Disease

After about a month, the rash or bruise which developed at the site of the tick bite will fade if left untreated. The average person may not take this as an early sign of infection and disseminated Lyme disease (involving other organs) may occur. The general symptoms of disseminated Lyme disease are severe muscle pain and aches; fatigue; severe headache and fever. However, the effects on the brain manifest by means of increased dizziness or fainting; hoarseness or problems with the vocal cord; weakness or paralysis of the limbs; sensitivity to sound or light; increased risk of strokes; seizures; and difficulty speaking, chewing or swallowing to name a few.

The eyes are affected in that blindness may occur as well as double vision; red eye; retinal damage and inflammation of various parts of the eye. Other organs may be affected thus: irregular heart beat and heart block; chest pains; swelling of the joints; chronic or intermittent joint pain, which may lead to arthritis in later stages; abnormalities in liver function; pneumonia or breathing difficulties; loss of muscle tone; diarrhoea or vomiting; anorexia due to appetite loss; nausea; enlargement of the spleen and tenderness; as well as skin rashes not at the bite site.

Women who are pregnant may find that it is possible to pass on the infection to the unborn child and may, as a result, experience stillbirth; premature birth or miscarriage and even neonatal deaths.

Depression and anxiety in individuals with Lyme disease has increased, according to researchers. In addition to the underlying symptoms, the management and evaluation of the illness relies on these two important aspects.