![]() The most common symptoms in acute (aka: early localized) Lyme disease are the ones people are most familiar with. Lyme disease symptoms can vary based on stage of the disease (early, late, post-treatment, or chronic) and if other tick-borne infections are present and can change over time.Īcute Lyme disease (aka: early localized LD) occurs days to weeks after the initial tick bite and infection, in which the bacteria have not yet spread from the site of infection in the skin. This makes it extremely important for patients to keep track of all the symptoms they experience, to share with their healthcare provider. Due to the lack of an accurate diagnostic test, many patients are diagnosed based on a combination symptoms and diagnostic testing. Symptoms can play a key role in diagnosing Lyme disease. Lyme disease can mimic hundreds of other conditions since its symptoms mirror many medical problems such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome or lupus, and is sometimes known as “The Great Imitator” because of this. To make things more confusing, Lyme disease symptoms will also vary from patient-to-patient. Symptoms can also change over time, as the bacteria spreads throughout the body. Lyme disease symptoms are wide-ranging, with more than a hundred different symptoms recorded. If a person doesn't have signs or symptoms of Lyme disease, then the person does not have Lyme disease as the definition of disease requires symptoms. Here is the 2nd important part when it comes to a diagnosis: So if this marker is positive you have at least 5 out of 10 of the IgG markers positive. ![]() This marker is called Lyme Disease AB (IGG), Blot and is an aggregate marker for the ten IgG results. Or you need to have 5 out of 10 for the positive IgG result. ![]() You need to have 2 out of 3 for the positive IgM result In the Western blot test there are three bands for IgM and 10 bands for IgG. IgG remains in the serum for a very long time. IgM antibodies usually disappear after eight weeks post-exposure. IgM antibodies in contrast reflect a relatively recent infection. IgG antibodies are a sign of an older infection. Tick bites are most common among campers, hikers, and people who work in gardens and other leafy outdoor environments.Two types of antibodies are detected in the Western blot test. You may be at greater risk for Lyme disease if you live in an area where the disease is more prevalent. Blacklegged ticks are prevalent in wooded, brushy areas where rodents, deer, and other mammals can find food and shelter. Ticks cannot fly or jump and can be found on the tips of grasses and shrubs in a variety of outdoor settings, including gardens, lawns, and wooded areas, particularly near trails. In the United States, most infections occur in the following geographical areas 1: In these cases, people often travel between states, and where they live may be different from where they were infected. Although Lyme disease does not occur nationwide, it may be diagnosed anywhere. Lyme disease is a year-round problem, but April through November is considered tick season. Seek immediate medical attention if you are having heart or neurologic symptoms, especially if you have had a tick bite, live in an area known for Lyme disease, or have recently traveled to an area where Lyme disease is common. Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms depending on the stage of infection. Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath.Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly the knees and other large joints o Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones.Additional erythema migrans rashes on other areas of the body. ![]() Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat.Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet.Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face).Later signs and symptoms (days to months after tick bite) may include: If left untreated, Lyme disease can produce a wide variety of signs and symptoms, depending on the stage of infection.Įarly signs and symptoms (3 to 30 days after a tick bite) may include: It appears in 70% of people infected with Lyme disease. ![]() A common, early sign of Lyme disease is a bullseye rash (known as erythema migrans) greater than the size of a quarter. ![]()
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