Symptoms+&+Disease+Progression+-+Lyme+Disease

Lyme disease is harmless if treated promptly. If not, it may progress in three stages beginning from mild symptoms to serious, long-term disabilities.


 * Stage 1: Early Localized Infection (Occurs within 1 to 4 weeks)**
 * Some people infected with Lyme disease receive a rash, called erythema migrans, [[image:h9991388_001.jpg width="322" height="210" align="right" caption="Erythema Migrans"]]at the site where the tick bit them. This rash, which develops within 1 to 4 weeks, is circular and gets larger over time. Erythema migrans is usually found on the thighs, groin, truck, armpits, waistline, or behind the knees. Patches of the rash may begin to develop in other places as the Lyme disease bacteria circulate through the blood. Others do not have any symptoms, and do not even recall being bitten by a tick.
 * A lack of energy -- the most common symptom
 * Headache and a stiff neck
 * Fever and chills
 * Muscle and joint pain
 * Swollen lymph nodes
 * In some cases of this disease, it is possible for people to not notice or show any symptoms during this stage.


 * Stage 2: Early Disseminated Infection (Occurs within 1 to 4 months)**
 * If Lyme disease is not treated or detected in the first stage with the initial symptoms, or if there were no symptoms to trigger a need for treatment, the infection can spread and may affect the nervous system, skin, joints, and heart within weeks to months after the initial infection.
 * Tiredness
 * Pain, weakness, or numbness in the arms or the legs -- this occurs when the infection has spread to the nerves or spinal cord
 * Recurring headaches or fainting
 * Additional skin rashes in several places on your body that continue to develop as the infection spreads
 * Poor memory
 * Reduced ability to concentrate
 * Conjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye
 * Possible damage to deep tissue in the eyes
 * Paralysis of the facial nerves, or inability to control the muscles of the face
 * Occasional rapid heartbeats, also known as palpitations
 * In rare cases, serious heart problems may ensue


 * Stage 3: Late Persistent Infections**
 * In the event that Lyme disease is not treated in an effective or timely manner, damage to the nerves, joints, and brain can develop monthsor even years after[[image:lyme_disease_alert.gif width="379" height="311" align="right"]] infection. This is also known as late Lyme disease.
 * Severe fatigue
 * Numbness and tingling in the hands, feet, or back -- this occurs when the bacterial infection has spread to the nerves or spinal cord
 * Neurologic changes, including issues with memory, sleep, mood, and sometimes problems speaking
 * Partial facial nerve paralysis -- this usually occurs within the first few months after the tick bite
 * Inflammation and pain in the joints, especially in the knees
 * Chronic Lyme arthritis -- this causes recurring episodes of swelling, redness, and fluid buildup in one or more joints that can last up to 6 months at a time
 * It is possible that symptoms pertaining to the heart, nervous system, and joints are the first signs of Lyme disease in those who did not have a rash or other signs of early infection
 * Death may ensue if the disease is not caught in time or if combined with some other infection.