Lyme Disease Symptoms: Months Later
After several months, approximately 60 percent of patients with an untreated infection will begin to have sporadic bouts of
arthritis. This can include severe joint pain and swelling. Large joints are most often affected, especially the knees. Also, up to 5 percent of untreated patients may develop chronic problems of the nervous system within months to years of being infected. These nerve problems can include shooting pains, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, and problems with concentration and short-term memory.
Lyme Disease Symptoms: Years Later
Most cases of
Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics, especially if treatment is begun early. However, a small percentage of patients have Lyme disease symptoms that last for months to years, even after treatment with antibiotics. These Lyme disease symptoms can include:
- Muscle and joint pains
- Arthritis (see Infectious Arthritis)
- Cognitive defects (problems with the ability to think)
- Sleep disturbance
- Fatigue.
The cause of these Lyme disease symptoms is not known. There is some evidence that they result from an autoimmune response, in which a person's immune system continues to respond even after the infection has been cleared from the body.
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