Lyme Disease 101: Symptoms, Testing, and Treatment

The Basics on Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that can affect anyone. This bacterial infection is spread to humans from the bite of a Black legged tick (commonly referred to as a “deer tick”). Most Lyme disease cases originate in the northeastern and northcentral United States, and occur during the summer or fall, when the weather gets warmer and small nymphal ticks are most prevalent.

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi. Black legged ticks are the primary transmitters of Lyme disease, as not all tick species carry these bacteria. 

Symptoms and Stages

The symptoms of Lyme disease can vary drastically for every individual, but a few common symptoms to watch for include: 

• Fatigue and malaise  
• Joint pain and swelling 
• Fever and chills 
• An erythema migrans (EM) rash (often referred to as a "bull's-eye" rash) 
• Swollen lymph nodes  

Stage 1: Early localized Lyme disease

Timing: Within days or up to a month after a tick bite

• This is generally when people may notice an erythema migrans (EM) rash, and it’s important to note that EM rash will expand over time and only occurs in people with Lyme disease. Recent studies have found that up to 30% of people with Lyme disease never develop the rash at all
• Swelling of the lymph nodes may occur shortly after a tick bite, and the swelling may occur anywhere on the body, not just the site of the tick bite
• Fever, Loss of appetite, and a general feeling of illness

Stage 2: Early disseminated Lyme disease

Timing: Weeks to months after a tick bite

The infection begins moving beyond the site of the tick bite to other areas of the body including the heart, brain, or spinal cord. If Lyme disease has moved to the brain, it is sometimes referred to as “Lyme Neuroborreliosis.”

• More than one EM rash (a highly suggestive sign of Lyme disease)
• Joint and muscle pain that may come and go, and will often move to different areas of the body
• Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), which can cause severe headache, neck stiffness, and photosensitivity 
• Weakness, numbness, and/or tingling in the limbs 

Stage 3: Late disseminated Lyme disease

Timing: Months to years after a tick bite

The infection may spread to the joints or play a role in altered brain function.

• Arthritis with joint pain, warmth, and often swelling; Lyme disease-related arthritis typically occurs in one joint, often the knee or another large joint, but it can also occur in multiple joints

• Inability to concentrate, brain fog, and memory issues
• Nerve pain that causes sensations of tingling, burning, and numbness
• Anxiety, depression, mood swings, and other related neuropsychiatric issues
• Sleep disturbances such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, increased/ constant desire to sleep, or sleep that doesn’t feel restful

Prevention Tips

If you're in areas where ticks thrive (wooded, brushy, and grassy areas), it's essential to take preventive measures: 

• Wear protective clothing 
• Use tick repellent before spending time outdoors 
• Check yourself and your pets for ticks after being in nature  

Testing

Testing for Lyme disease often consists of a two-step process, due to the high rate of inaccurate initial results, the CDC recommends the following two-step testing process:

1. ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test is a common initial screening test for Lyme disease. It's not always accurate and may require confirmation with a Western blot test.
2. If the ELISA test is positive or unclear, a Western blot test is performed to confirm the results

It can take several weeks after an initial tick bite for antibodies to develop and to reach an amount that is detectable by an ELISA test. Some individuals test negative on antibody tests (ELISA and Western blot) even if they do have Lyme disease, particularly in the early stages or if they were treated with antibiotics early on.

A negative antibody test doesn’t completely rule out the possibility of having Lyme disease. Even if you’ve received a negative test result, a full clinical assessment by a doctor is crucial in the testing and diagnosis process.

Treatment

The standard treatment protocol for Lyme disease involves a course of antibiotics, typically oral, for an average duration of 10-14 days. Doxycycline is generally the initial oral antibiotic of choice. Amoxicillin and Cefuroxime are also considered valid oral antibiotic options. In more severe or late-stage cases, intravenous antibiotics like Ceftriaxone may be necessary. 

All treatment plans should be tailored to every individual. Treatment needs (specific antibiotic, dosage, and duration of treatment) vary based on the stage and severity of the disease, as well as individual patient factors.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for educational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or therapy, or treatment protocol, especially if you have existing medical conditions or take prescription medications. Research on Lyme disease continues, and information about its safety or effectiveness may evolve with new findings.