Lyme Disease
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria enters your body through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. These ticks are often called deer ticks because they commonly feed on deer.
The infection can affect multiple systems in your body if left untreated. Early Lyme disease usually causes a distinctive rash and flu-like symptoms. Without treatment, the bacteria can spread to your joints, heart, and nervous system over weeks or months.
Lyme disease is most common in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest regions of the United States. The infection is treatable with antibiotics, especially when caught early. Most people recover fully with proper treatment.
Symptoms
- A circular rash that looks like a bullseye, often appearing 3 to 30 days after the tick bite
- Fever and chills that may feel like the flu
- Extreme tiredness and fatigue that interferes with daily activities
- Headaches and neck stiffness
- Muscle and joint aches, especially in large joints like knees
- Swollen lymph nodes near the bite area
- Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat in some cases
- Facial paralysis or drooping on one side of the face
- Nerve pain, numbness, or tingling in hands or feet
- Memory problems and difficulty concentrating in later stages
Not everyone develops the characteristic bullseye rash. Some people never notice a rash at all. Others may have mild symptoms that feel like a common cold or flu. Early symptoms can be easy to miss or dismiss.
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Causes and risk factors
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. You get infected when a blacklegged tick carrying the bacteria bites you and stays attached for 36 to 48 hours or more. The longer the tick feeds on your blood, the higher your risk of infection. Ticks are most active during spring and summer months when people spend more time outdoors.
Your risk increases if you live or spend time in wooded or grassy areas where ticks thrive. Common risk factors include hiking, camping, gardening, or working outdoors in endemic areas. Having pets that go outdoors can bring ticks into your home. Not checking for ticks after outdoor activities increases your chance of infection. Wearing shorts and short sleeves in tick habitats also raises your risk.
How it's diagnosed
Doctors diagnose Lyme disease based on your symptoms, physical findings, and possible tick exposure. Blood tests help confirm the diagnosis by detecting antibodies your body makes against the bacteria. The Lyme Ab Screen is typically the first test performed. If this screening test is positive, a Western blot test follows to confirm the results.
Rite Aid offers Lyme disease testing as an add-on to our standard health panel. Testing is available at Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide. The Western blot identifies specific antibody bands including 18 Kd, 23 Kd, 28 Kd, 39 Kd, 41 Kd, 45 Kd, 58 Kd, 66 Kd, and 93 Kd. Keep in mind that antibodies may not show up right away. Testing too early after a tick bite can produce false negative results.
Treatment options
- Oral antibiotics like doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime for 2 to 4 weeks
- Intravenous antibiotics for more severe cases affecting the heart or nervous system
- Pain relievers to manage joint pain, headaches, and fever
- Rest and adequate sleep to support immune system function
- Anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, fatty fish, and berries
- Staying hydrated to help your body fight infection
- Avoiding alcohol and processed foods during treatment
- Physical therapy for persistent joint problems after treatment
- Regular follow-up with your doctor to monitor recovery
- Tick prevention measures to avoid reinfection
Need testing for Lyme Disease? Add it to your panel.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
The classic Lyme disease rash is called erythema migrans. It typically appears as a red circular patch that expands outward with clearing in the center, creating a bullseye pattern. The rash usually develops 3 to 30 days after a tick bite and can grow to 12 inches or more across. Not everyone with Lyme disease develops this rash.
Wait at least 2 to 4 weeks after a tick bite before getting tested. Your body needs time to produce antibodies that blood tests detect. Testing too early often produces false negative results even if you are infected. If you develop symptoms like a rash or fever, see a doctor right away even before testing.
Lyme disease rarely resolves without antibiotic treatment. Untreated infections often progress to more serious complications affecting joints, heart, and nervous system. Early treatment with antibiotics leads to quick recovery in most cases. Delaying treatment makes the infection harder to treat and increases risk of long-term problems.
IgM antibodies appear first during early infection, usually within a few weeks of the tick bite. IgG antibodies develop later, typically after 4 to 6 weeks, and can remain detectable for years. A positive IgM suggests recent infection while IgG indicates current or past infection. Your doctor interprets both results together with your symptoms.
Wear long sleeves and pants when hiking in wooded or grassy areas. Use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin and clothing. Check your entire body for ticks after spending time outdoors, paying special attention to hidden areas. Remove attached ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers by grasping close to the skin and pulling straight up.
Untreated Lyme disease can cause chronic arthritis, especially in the knees. It may lead to heart rhythm problems and inflammation of heart tissue. Nervous system complications include facial paralysis, numbness, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating. Some people develop severe headaches and nerve pain that persists for months or years.
Yes, you can get Lyme disease again after successful treatment. Having Lyme disease once does not make you immune to future infections. Each new tick bite from an infected tick can transmit the bacteria again. Continue using tick prevention measures even after you have recovered from Lyme disease.
Positive IgG antibodies can remain in your blood for years after a past infection, even when fully treated. This does not mean you have active Lyme disease. Some people may have been exposed to the bacteria without developing illness. Your doctor considers test results along with current symptoms to determine if treatment is needed.
Some people continue to have symptoms like fatigue, pain, and cognitive problems after finishing antibiotic treatment. This condition is called post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome or PTLDS. The exact cause is unclear and may involve immune system changes or tissue damage from the infection. Symptoms usually improve gradually over 6 to 12 months.
While antibiotics are essential to treat Lyme disease, certain lifestyle practices support recovery. Eating anti-inflammatory foods like vegetables, fruits, and omega-3 rich fish may help reduce symptoms. Getting adequate rest and managing stress support immune function. Some people find that reducing sugar and processed foods helps with inflammation. Always follow your doctor's antibiotic treatment plan.