Lyme Disease: Why Early Treatment Matters

July 12, 2024

Reported cases of Lyme disease are on the rise. The infection spread by deer ticks can easily be treated with antibiotics when caught early, but the risk of long-term complications increases if treatment is delayed.

That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs of Lyme disease and seek medical care if you experience a tick bite, says University Hospitals family medicine physician Sean McNeeley, MD.

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia bacteria, which is carried by some (but not all) deer ticks, also known as blacklegged ticks. It spreads to humans and other animals through deer tick bites.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue and a spreading, circular rash. Dr. McNeely says that generally a tick needs to be attached to you for at least 24 hours in order for Lyme disease to be transmitted, so prompt removal of a tick may prevent infection.

When Lyme disease is suspected, a laboratory test can usually confirm the infection. However, since lab results can take weeks, most healthcare providers will treat any patient that has a verified tick bite and is experiencing symptoms of Lyme disease.

The infection is typically treated with an antibiotic such as doxycycline. The antibiotic is usually taken for about 10–14 days, but some cases may require 30 days of treatment or more. Dr. McNeeley says the vast majority of Lyme disease cases will be resolved with antibiotics and the patient will not suffer any long-lasting effects.

Don’t Delay Diagnosis

Things can get more complicated if Lyme disease is not diagnosed and treated early, says Dr. McNeeley. This can happen if the patient doesn’t realize they’ve been bit by a tick – for example, if the tick attaches under the hair on the scalp, or in another area of the body that’s difficult to see. And because the symptoms are often similar to other infections, some people may think they just have a cold or the flu.

Persistent cases of Lyme disease most often occur in patients who are not diagnosed until several days or weeks after the tick bite. At this point antibiotics are less effective, says Dr. McNeeley, and about 5 percent of people may experience complications that show up well after the initial infection. These complications can affect multiple body systems and include symptoms such as:

Body aches
Brain fog and other neurological symptoms
Fatigue
Heart-related symptoms such as carditis (inflammation of the heart)
Bone and joint issues such as arthritis

Living with the stress of these chronic symptoms can also affect a person’s mental health and well-being.

Dr. McNeeley says it’s unclear why some people develop persistent or chronic Lyme disease – also known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome – and others don’t. And experts still aren’t sure what causes these chronic complications to develop in the first place.

Patients who develop chronic symptoms generally see improvement over time, but it can take many months or even years to fully recover. McNeeley recommends recovery tips such as getting plenty of rest, eating a healthy diet, getting appropriate exercise and reducing stress. He also emphasizes the importance of staying connected with family and friends and making sure your mental health needs are being addressed.

Dr. McNeeley notes that sometimes symptoms attributed to persistent Lyme disease may actually be caused by something unrelated, so it’s important to work with your provider to properly manage your health.

Prevention Is Key

Preventing tick bites in the first place is the best way to avoid Lyme disease and its potential complications. If you are spending time in the woods, Dr. McNeeley suggests wearing long pants and sleeves and tucking your pants into your socks, checking your body for ticks when you return home, and removing them promptly. Be sure to check carefully and thoroughly because ticks may be well hidden and can be as small as a poppy seed.

You can use tweezers or even the edge of a credit card to gently pop the tick off your body, says Dr. McNeeley. And try to keep the tick so it can be tested at a lab for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. If you’ve been bit, seek care with your primary care provider or at an urgent care facility so you can begin prompt treatment if necessary.

Dr. McNeeley says that while there is a lot of fear surrounding Lyme disease, it’s important to note that most cases of Lyme disease are easily cured with antibiotics – and a diagnosis doesn’t mean years of debilitating symptoms.

“I encourage patients to go out and enjoy the outdoors. Know how to prevent tick bites. Know what signs to look for and when to seek care – but don’t live in fear.”