What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

Symptoms of Lyme disease usually occur within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite and may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pains
• Spasms
• Numbness or tingling
• Facial paralysis
• Fatigue
• Swollen glands
• Expanding skin rash (however, many people never get or see a rash)

If Lyme infection is not recognized and treated, it can affect the heart, nervous system or joints. However, if it’s caught early Lyme disease can generally be treated successfully. That’s why it’s important to contact your health care provider if you believe a tick was attached for more than 24 hours or if you develop flu-like symptoms or an expanding rash in the weeks following a tick bite.