Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by the bite of a tick. Both humans and animals can get Lyme disease. Lyme disease can prove a difficult illness to diagnose because of the vagueness of its symptoms, ones that are present in many other diseases as well.
Common Cold or Flu
Early symptoms of Lyme disease can present as a fever, aches and pains, head colds, and overall lethargy---basically the same symptoms of the common cold or flu.
Arthritis
In later stages of the disease, the bacteria attacks the joints, causing inflammation and swelling similar to that of arthritis. A person may chalk up these aches and pains to getting old, when in fact they are related to Lyme disease.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Persistent Lyme disease can show up as significant fatigue, like that seen in patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.
Migraines
Headaches and migraines are common with Lyme disease, but may go unnoticed as a symptom of the disease because they are so common in general.
Heart Attack
In severe, untreated cases of Lyme disease, a person can develop pericarditis, a swelling of the heart tissues surrounding the heart, which can be mistaken for a heart attack.
Tags: Lyme disease, aches pains