Understanding Lyme Disease as Tick Season Begins

As summer approaches and tick season begins, Lyme disease cases start to climb. In this article, we’ll uncover what you need to know—from causes and symptoms to stages and treatment—to stay informed and protected.

CAUSES

Lyme disease is spread from the bite of a deer tick to humans. This disease is carried by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which can be carried by deer ticks; however, not all species of ticks carry this disease.

Stages

There are 3 stages of Lyme disease:

• Stage 1 (Early Localized): Early symptoms of localized Lyme disease can appear hours to weeks after a deer tick bite. At this stage, the infection hasn’t spread through the body and is the easiest to treat using antibiotics, guided by a healthcare provider and confirmed with a blood test.
• Stage 2 (Early Disseminated Lyme): Early disseminated Lyme disease can develop weeks or months after a black-legged tick bite, as the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium starts spreading in the body. This stage includes flu-like symptoms and a worsening of typical Lyme symptoms.
• Stage 3 (Late Disseminated Lyme Disease): If Lyme disease isn’t treated early, late disseminated Lyme can develop weeks to years after infection. By this stage, the bacteria have spread throughout the body and nervous system, potentially causing chronic arthritis, and worsening neurological and heart-related symptoms.

Stage 1 Symptoms:

• Erythema migrans (EM) rash Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle and joint aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

Stage 2 Symptoms:

• Multiple erythema migrans (EM) rashes (not just at the bite site)
• Flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, chills, muscle aches)
• Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face)
• Severe headaches and neck stiffness (due to meningitis)
• Pain and swelling in the large joints (especially knees)
• Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in hands or feet
• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis)

Stage 3 symptoms:

• Chronic Lyme arthritis – severe joint pain and swelling, especially in large joints like the knees
• Neurological issues, such as:
• Numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or back
• Difficulty with memory, concentration, or mental fog (“Lyme brain”)
• Shooting pains
• Sleep disturbances
• Encephalopathy – brain inflammation leading to mood changes or cognitive issues
• Neuropathy – nerve damage causing pain, weakness, or sensitivity
• Cardiac problems – such as irregular heartbeat or inflammation of the heart (though less common at this stage)

While treatment for Lyme Disease depends on what stage, antibiotics such as doxycycline or amoxicillin, ar normally effective treatment.

SOURCES

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20374651

• https://www.pennmedicine.org/conditions/lyme-disease

• https://www.globallymealliance.org/about-lyme/diagnosis/stages/

• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11586-lyme-disease