Lyme disease is typically caused by the deer tick infected by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Transmission of the disease occurs if the tick is on the site 48-72 hours before removal.
Even if an individual had the condition before, he/she can become infected again. Due to this, it is vital to thoroughly check for any ticks after spending time outdoors.
What are the usual symptoms?
The initial sign of Lyme disease is erythema migrains. Nevertheless, it is vital to be familiar with the other symptoms since they tend to vary for every individual.
Erythema migrans
This is a circular rash at the side of the tick bite that manifests 7-14 days after bitten but can start as early as 3 days or arise up to 30 days after.
Flu-like symptoms
The other symptoms might strikingly resemble the flu and can include:
- Myalgia
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Enlarged lymph nodes
Even though these symptoms might appear the same as some viral infections, the signs of Lyme disease might persist or come and go.
When to consult a doctor
Always bear in mind that not all individuals have the classic signs of Lyme disease which makes it vital to consult a doctor if fever or rash develops after a tick bite, especially if living in or visited an area where there have been reported cases of Lyme disease.
Generally, the treatment involves antibiotics. The earlier treatment is started, the better but even the late phase cases still respond well to drugs.
FACT CHECK
https://www.healthline.com/health/lyme-disease
https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html
https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/arthritis-lyme-disease