Understanding Lyme Disease -- Symptoms

Medically Reviewed by David Zelman, MD on September 13, 2023
1 min read

The first sign is usually a bull's-eye rash. You might also have flu-like feelings of fatigue, headache, fever, sore throat, chills, or body aches.

If the infection hasn't been eradicated with antibiotics, you may experience joint pain. Some people also get other symptoms, including stiff neck, sensitivity to light, memory loss, mood changes, rashes that keep coming back, and even paralysis of one or both sides of the face, heart rhythm problems, and areas of tingling or numbness.

 

You think you may have contracted Lyme disease, especially if you notice a bull's-eye rash or if you suddenly develop knee pain and swelling without previous injury or arthritis. Delaying treatment can result in more serious neurological symptoms that can be difficult to cure.