What are the Early Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Humans

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An infected tick is an animal that can spread Lyme disease in humans. We can get this disease if we are bitten by an infected tick. But fortunately, most individuals who have had a tick bite (particularly from uninfected tick) don’t get Lyme disease. However, we should not underestimate a tick bite, particularly if we get a tick attached to our body that we cannot remove -- for this case you need to see a doctor! So, what are the early symptoms of Lyme disease in humans?

You might also like to read how to prevent and treat Lyme disease, before continuing!

Though Lyme disease is pretty common in the U.S -- which usually more often occurs during summer, but it also can be found in Asia, Canada, and even Europe. What else you need to know? Keep reading!

What are the causes, and how to diagnose Lyme disease?

To make a diagnosis, the doctor usually will analyze the symptoms that you experience! Furthermore, he/she may ask about the present activities that you have so he/she can find out whether you have been around ticks /infected ticks.

Bacteria are the key that can cause Lyme disease in humans, and as mentioned before it can be spread by infected ticks. Sometimes, the infected ticks also can beat animals, like dog -- therefore, Lyme disease also can occur in animals or pets.

Generally, there are two types of ticks that can be infected and then spread Lyme disease to humans and other animals. They are black-legged ticks (Oregon and Northern California are some common areas for this type) and deer ticks (which can be found usually in the Midwest and Northeast).

Once you notice an attached tick in your body, remove it as soon as possible! Lyme disease in infected tick can spread into your body if it has been attached /patched for at least 36 hours.

Early Symptoms of Lyme disease in humans

Generally, the symptoms of Lyme disease can be categorized into 3 major stages; early localized infection (‘stage-1’, which usually can occur 1-4 weeks on average), disseminated (early disseminated infection or stage-2, which usually can occur 1-4 months on average), and late persistent (stage-3).

Untreated Lyme disease can generate mild symptoms in stage-1 to more severe symptoms in stage-2 and stage-3 (the most severe stage). Let’s focus to the early symptoms in ‘Stage 1’!

Once you get a tick bite from an infected tick, you may experience some of the following early symptoms:

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1. Lyme disease rash, which usually can be noticed within 1-4 weeks from the first time you get a tick bite! Check this image to figure out this erythema migrans (another name to call Lyme disease rash). It usually tends to become larger over time with circular in shape.
2. After Lyme disease rash -- lack of energy is one of other common symptoms of Lymes disease.
3. Stiff neck /headache.
4. Swollen lymph nodes.
5. Chills/fever.
6. Joint paint /muscle pain.

Sometimes people with this disease don’t have any symptom at the early stage, and this can put them at higher chance of moving into the stage-2 and stage-3 of Lyme disease with more severe symptoms -- talk more with a doctor for more advices and more in-depth information for this case!

In the stage-2 and stage-3, the disease can generate more serious symptoms that may affect your heart and nervous system, which usually followed by more severe conditions of stage-1 symptoms!
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Reference: WebMD