Do I Have Lyme Disease?

As far as you known, have you been bitten by a tick recently?

Do you live or spend time in grassy and heavily wooded areas?

Do you live in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent?

Do you have flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches)?

Do you have swollen lymph nodes?

Do you have a red skin rash that begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3 to 30 days (average is about 7 days)?

Do you have a rash that is warm and gradually spreads over several days and reaches a diameter of up to 12 inches (30 cm) or more?

Do you have a skin rash that looks like a target or "bull's eye"?

Do you have pain and swelling in large joints, particularly in the knees?

Do you have loss of muscle tone or “drooping” on one or both sides of the face?

Do you have episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath?

Do you have severe headaches and neck stiffness?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a fairly common tick-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which can be transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, known as the deer tick. People who spend a lot of time outdoors in grassy and wooded areas have a higher risk of contracting Lyme disease. Young blacklegged ticks can be as tiny as a poppy seed, making them almost impossible to spot. After being bitten by an infected tick, bacteria enter your bloodstream causing symptoms of Lyme disease.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a condition caused by the Lyme disease bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease is spread by the bite of an infected tick known as the blacklegged tick or deer tick. Tick bites can be found at any part of your body, but most of them are often found in areas such as the groin, scalp and armpits. Usually, a tick must be attached to your body for at least 36 to 48 hours to transmit Lyme disease bacteria. A diagnosis is based on your symptoms and laboratory tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a vector-borne disease transmitted by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (deer tick). Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi. There are two stages of Lyme disease. The early stage is characterized by flu-like symptoms and a very specific skin rash called “erythema migrans” that appear within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. The late stage of Lyme disease occurs days to months after a tick bite and causes symptoms such as arthritis and facial paralysis. Treatment includes antibiotics.