Lyme Signs and Symptoms for Families

Signs and Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Early Signs and Symptoms (3-30 Days After Tick Bite)

Fever
Chills
Headache
Fatigue
Muscle and joint aches
Swollen lymph nodes
Erythema migrans (EM) rash
- Occurs in approximately 70 to 80 percent of infected persons at the site of tick bite
- Flat, red rash that expands gradually over several days, reaching up to 12 inches (30 cm) or more across
- May feel warm to the touch but is rarely itchy or painful
- Sometimes clears as it enlarges, resulting in a target or bull’s-eye appearance

Later Signs and Symptoms (days to months after tick bite)

Severe headaches and neck stiffness
Additional EM rashes on other areas of the body
Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face)
Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly the knees and other large joints
Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones
Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis)
Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath
Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
Nerve pain
Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet

CDC Tick Bite Bot

Need help removing a tick or determining whether you need health care? The CDC Tick Bite Bot will ask you a series of questions to help you make the right decision for your child’s health!

Please click here if you are unable to access the Tick Bite Assessment.