Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a DoctorDiagnosisFrequencyFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Doctor
Diagnosis
Frequency
Frequently Asked Questions
Symptoms of Lyme disease vary based on the severity of the case. The most notorious symptom, “bullseye rash,” doesn’t occur in everyone and can go unnoticed.Other symptoms may resemble those of other illnesses. This is why it is possible to be unaware that you have Lyme disease.
Lyme disease that goes untreated for many months or years may be harder to treat with antibiotics. Untreated cases can progress to serious, even fatal, health conditions, from arthritis and nerve pain tocardiacarrhythmia(irregular heartbeat) orLymeneuroborreliosis(inflammation of the brain and spine).
Verywell / Jessica Olah
It’s important to understand more about Lyme disease, what can happen if it goes unmanaged, and what can be done to treat it. The more vigilant you are, the better off you’ll be.
What Causes Lyme Disease?
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease causes a range of symptoms that change and intensify as theBorrelia burgdorferibacteria spreads to the rest of the body. Untreated cases can cause serious problems or lead to a fatal condition. What’s tricky, too, is that the onset of initial symptoms occurs anywhere from three to 30 days after exposure.
Clinically, there are three stages of Lyme disease: early localized disease, early disseminated disease, and late disseminated disease.
Early Localized Lyme Disease
Early Disseminated Lyme Disease
Disseminated Lyme disease symptoms arise as the bacterial infection works its way to other bodily systems, organs, and structures. Typically a month or more after exposure, symptoms are mostly neurological and can include:
Late Disseminated Lyme Disease
In its late disseminated phase, the bacterial infection has begun affecting nerve and joint structures, causing significant complications. This stage can begin weeks, months, or years after the tick bite.
Complications of Untreated Lyme Disease
If unchecked, the Lyme disease infection can spread to other bodily systems, causing significant damage. Untreated, complications of this condition can be very severe:
Even in cases where Lyme disease has progressed, antibiotic regimens—especially drugs likedoxycycline—are generally successful in resolving problems.
Some see relapses of their condition despite treatment, something that’s commonly termed “chronic Lyme disease.” Clinically referred to as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), this is the persistence of fatigue, nerve and skeletal pain, and cognitive difficulties more than six months after treatment has ended.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Since Lyme disease can take different forms, and since it’s often confused with other conditions, it’s important to be proactive if you suspect the condition. What signs prompt medical help? Call the healthcare provider if:
Lyme Disease Diagnosis
When it comes to cases of suspected Lyme disease, several factors help healthcare providers determine a diagnosis. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s taken into account:
In those cases of untreated Lyme disease that have become more advanced and serious, as in its late disseminated phase, additional testing may be needed:
How Lyme Disease Is Diagnosed
How Common is Untreated Lyme Disease?
It’s difficult to get exact numbers when it comes to Lyme disease, in part because there’s only limited accounting of the condition’s frequency overall, and it’s often misdiagnosed or mistaken for other conditions.
Currently, it’s estimated that 476,000 people develop it in the United States every year, with 81% of the cases clustered in the Northeast, upper Midwest, and mid-Atlantic regions.
Knowledge and awareness of this disease have grown over the past couple of decades, greatly improving outcomes. This improving prognosis is associated with better care and detection, leading to timelier intervention.
If you live in a hot spot area for black-legged ticks, never hesitate to reach out to your healthcare professional if you’re feeling sick or have a rash.
A Word From Verywell
While it’s always good to be careful about Lyme disease—especially if you live in an area where black-legged ticks are native—there’s also some perspective necessary. With effective medical intervention, this condition is easily and swiftly managed. Improvements in detection have also caused drastic reductions in associated complications.
With increased awareness of Lyme disease on the part of the broader population, it’s only natural that reports of this condition rise. This doesn’t, however, mean that you’re at greater risk or that you should avoid the woods; it simply means that people—and healthcare providers—are doing their respective parts.
Ultimately, Lyme disease doesn’t affect all that many people, and even less likely are cases where it gets severe. Nonetheless, don’t hesitate to get help if you suspect you have this condition. Good communication increases the chances of early detection, leading to timelier and more effective treatment.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, symptoms of Lyme disease can often go unnoticed. An estimated one in six people with Lyme disease do not experience the tell-tale rash and up to 7% of people with Lyme disease have no symptoms.Left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to joints and organs, causing significant damage. Arthritis, heart disease, and nervous system problems are common complications of untreated Lyme disease.In the initial stages, Lyme disease is diagnosed based on the appearance of a bulls-eye rash after a black-legged tick bite. Other symptoms that may accompany the first stage of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headache, and joint pain. It is often described as feeling like the flu.Blood tests are used to confirm a Lyme disease diagnosis. However, the test checks for Lyme disease antibodies, which often are not present in the early stages of infection. Blood tests are used to diagnose later stages of Lyme disease.
Yes, symptoms of Lyme disease can often go unnoticed. An estimated one in six people with Lyme disease do not experience the tell-tale rash and up to 7% of people with Lyme disease have no symptoms.
Left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to joints and organs, causing significant damage. Arthritis, heart disease, and nervous system problems are common complications of untreated Lyme disease.
In the initial stages, Lyme disease is diagnosed based on the appearance of a bulls-eye rash after a black-legged tick bite. Other symptoms that may accompany the first stage of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headache, and joint pain. It is often described as feeling like the flu.Blood tests are used to confirm a Lyme disease diagnosis. However, the test checks for Lyme disease antibodies, which often are not present in the early stages of infection. Blood tests are used to diagnose later stages of Lyme disease.
In the initial stages, Lyme disease is diagnosed based on the appearance of a bulls-eye rash after a black-legged tick bite. Other symptoms that may accompany the first stage of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headache, and joint pain. It is often described as feeling like the flu.
Blood tests are used to confirm a Lyme disease diagnosis. However, the test checks for Lyme disease antibodies, which often are not present in the early stages of infection. Blood tests are used to diagnose later stages of Lyme disease.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jacquet C, Goehringer F, Baux E et al.Multidisciplinary management of patients presenting with Lyme disease suspicion.Med Mal Infect. 2019;49(2):112-120. doi:10.1016/j.medmal.2018.06.002Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How Lyme disease spreads.Hatchette T, Davis I, Johnston B.Lyme disease: clinical diagnosis and treatment.Can Comm Dis Report. 2014;40(11):194-208. doi:10.14745/ccdr.v40i11a01Krause P, Bockenstedt L.Lyme disease and the heart.Circulation. 2013;127(7). doi:10.1161/circulationaha.112.101485Rauer S, Kastenbauer S, Fingerle V, Hunfeld KP, Huppertz HI, Dersch R.Lyme neuroborreliosis.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018;115(45):751-756. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0751Wong KH, Shapiro ED, Soffer GK.A review of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome and chronic Lyme disease for the practicing immunologist.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2022;62(1):264-271. doi:10.1007/s12016-021-08906-wNational Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Lyme disease.Kugeler K, Schwartz A, Delorey M, Mead P, Hinckley A.Estimating the frequency of Lyme disease diagnoses, United States, 2010–2018.Emerg Infect Dis. 2021;27(2):616-619. doi:10.3201/eid2702.202731Aucott JN, Seifter A, Rebman AW.Probable late Lyme disease: a variant manifestation of untreatedBorrelia burgdorferiinfection.BMC Infect Dis. 2012;12:173. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-12-173
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jacquet C, Goehringer F, Baux E et al.Multidisciplinary management of patients presenting with Lyme disease suspicion.Med Mal Infect. 2019;49(2):112-120. doi:10.1016/j.medmal.2018.06.002Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How Lyme disease spreads.Hatchette T, Davis I, Johnston B.Lyme disease: clinical diagnosis and treatment.Can Comm Dis Report. 2014;40(11):194-208. doi:10.14745/ccdr.v40i11a01Krause P, Bockenstedt L.Lyme disease and the heart.Circulation. 2013;127(7). doi:10.1161/circulationaha.112.101485Rauer S, Kastenbauer S, Fingerle V, Hunfeld KP, Huppertz HI, Dersch R.Lyme neuroborreliosis.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018;115(45):751-756. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0751Wong KH, Shapiro ED, Soffer GK.A review of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome and chronic Lyme disease for the practicing immunologist.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2022;62(1):264-271. doi:10.1007/s12016-021-08906-wNational Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Lyme disease.Kugeler K, Schwartz A, Delorey M, Mead P, Hinckley A.Estimating the frequency of Lyme disease diagnoses, United States, 2010–2018.Emerg Infect Dis. 2021;27(2):616-619. doi:10.3201/eid2702.202731Aucott JN, Seifter A, Rebman AW.Probable late Lyme disease: a variant manifestation of untreatedBorrelia burgdorferiinfection.BMC Infect Dis. 2012;12:173. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-12-173
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Jacquet C, Goehringer F, Baux E et al.Multidisciplinary management of patients presenting with Lyme disease suspicion.Med Mal Infect. 2019;49(2):112-120. doi:10.1016/j.medmal.2018.06.002Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How Lyme disease spreads.Hatchette T, Davis I, Johnston B.Lyme disease: clinical diagnosis and treatment.Can Comm Dis Report. 2014;40(11):194-208. doi:10.14745/ccdr.v40i11a01Krause P, Bockenstedt L.Lyme disease and the heart.Circulation. 2013;127(7). doi:10.1161/circulationaha.112.101485Rauer S, Kastenbauer S, Fingerle V, Hunfeld KP, Huppertz HI, Dersch R.Lyme neuroborreliosis.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018;115(45):751-756. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0751Wong KH, Shapiro ED, Soffer GK.A review of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome and chronic Lyme disease for the practicing immunologist.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2022;62(1):264-271. doi:10.1007/s12016-021-08906-wNational Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Lyme disease.Kugeler K, Schwartz A, Delorey M, Mead P, Hinckley A.Estimating the frequency of Lyme disease diagnoses, United States, 2010–2018.Emerg Infect Dis. 2021;27(2):616-619. doi:10.3201/eid2702.202731Aucott JN, Seifter A, Rebman AW.Probable late Lyme disease: a variant manifestation of untreatedBorrelia burgdorferiinfection.BMC Infect Dis. 2012;12:173. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-12-173
Jacquet C, Goehringer F, Baux E et al.Multidisciplinary management of patients presenting with Lyme disease suspicion.Med Mal Infect. 2019;49(2):112-120. doi:10.1016/j.medmal.2018.06.002
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How Lyme disease spreads.
Hatchette T, Davis I, Johnston B.Lyme disease: clinical diagnosis and treatment.Can Comm Dis Report. 2014;40(11):194-208. doi:10.14745/ccdr.v40i11a01
Krause P, Bockenstedt L.Lyme disease and the heart.Circulation. 2013;127(7). doi:10.1161/circulationaha.112.101485
Rauer S, Kastenbauer S, Fingerle V, Hunfeld KP, Huppertz HI, Dersch R.Lyme neuroborreliosis.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018;115(45):751-756. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0751
Wong KH, Shapiro ED, Soffer GK.A review of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome and chronic Lyme disease for the practicing immunologist.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2022;62(1):264-271. doi:10.1007/s12016-021-08906-w
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Lyme disease.
Kugeler K, Schwartz A, Delorey M, Mead P, Hinckley A.Estimating the frequency of Lyme disease diagnoses, United States, 2010–2018.Emerg Infect Dis. 2021;27(2):616-619. doi:10.3201/eid2702.202731
Aucott JN, Seifter A, Rebman AW.Probable late Lyme disease: a variant manifestation of untreatedBorrelia burgdorferiinfection.BMC Infect Dis. 2012;12:173. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-12-173
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