An underreported, under-researched and often debilitating disease transmitted by spirochete bacteria is known as Lyme disease. The bacteria Borrelia Burgdorferi is transmitted by black-legged deer ticks in this disease. Its wide range of symptoms mimics those of many other ailments, making it often difficult to diagnose. The black-legged ticks can also transmit other disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites and are known as coinfections.

Signs of Lyme disease

• Rashes:  The sign of a Lyme disease tick bite looks like a solid red oval or a bull’s eye. It can appear anywhere on the body. A central red spot, surrounded by a clear circle with a wide red circle on the outside is how a bull’s eye looks. The rash is flat and usually doesn’t itch. The rash is a sign that the infection is spreading within the skin tissues. The rash expands and then resolves over time, even if it is not treated.
• Fatigue:  Whether or not one notices, the tick bite or the classic Lyme disease rash causes early symptoms that are likely to be flu-like. The most frequent symptoms are tiredness, exhaustion and lack of energy. The fatigue seems different from regular tiredness, where one can point to an activity as a cause. This fatigue can take over the body and can be severe. One might need a nap during the day or need to sleep one or more hours longer than usual at night.
• Achy, stiff or swollen joints:  Early Lyme disease symptoms include pain and stiffness in the joints and are often intermittent. The joints may be inflamed, warm to touch, painful and swollen. One might have stiffness and limited range of motion in some joints.
• Headaches, dizziness, fever:  Other flu-like symptoms are headaches, dizziness, fever, muscle pain, and malaise. The symptoms may be light and it might be difficult to distinguish Lyme disease flu symptoms from the common flu or viral infections.
• Night sweat and sleep disturbances:  Joint pain might cause sleep disturbances and wake one up at night. The body temperature might fluctuate and night sweats and chills can wake one up.
• Cognitive decline:  Cognitive disturbances are of many kinds and degrees. One might face difficulty concentrating in school or at work. Memory might have lapses that weren’t there before.
• Sensitivity to light and vision changes:  Blinding or bright indoor light may feel uncomfortable. Light sensitivity is bad enough for some people to need sunglasses indoors, in addition to wearing sunglasses outdoors in normal sunlight.
• Other neurological problems:  Symptoms can be subtle and sometimes specific in case of neurological problems. In general, one might feel unsure of one’s balance or become less coordinated in movements. Walking down a slight incline or driveway might take a toll, which might have never happened before.
• Skin outbreaks:  Skin symptoms appear early on in Lyme disease. One might have unexplained skin rashes or large bruises without any apparent cause. Skin outbreaks might be itchy or unsightly.

Keeping an eye out for common symptoms and consulting a doctor at the earliest can help manage Lyme disease effectively.