Lyme Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

However, the main problem isn't the tick bite itself, but rather that many patients don't receive timely diagnosis and treatment. Due to an unclear clinical picture and a lack of awareness among doctors outside endemic regions, Lyme borreliosis treatment often begins too late. This can lead to chronic disease progression, affecting the nervous system, joints, and heart.

If you or a loved one suspects Lyme disease, it's crucial not to delay and seek consultation with a qualified specialist immediately. The MedicusUnion platform connects patients with leading European infectious disease doctors, including specialists from countries where borreliosis is thoroughly studied, and treatment approaches comply with international protocols.

What Is Lyme Disease and How Does Infection Occur?

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by Borrelia bacteria (spirochetes). In nature, these bacteria circulate between wild animals and birds and reach humans through an intermediary—the tick. It is the most common tick-borne infection in the Northern Hemisphere.

It is important to understand the transmission mechanism. Infection occurs exclusively through the bite of an infected Ixodes tick. The good news is that not every contact with the insect ends in illness.

First, not all ticks are contagious. The percentage of infected insects varies by region, and experts estimate that even in endemic zones, it usually ranges from 10% to 50%.

Second, the tick must remain on the skin for a sufficient time. Even if the tick is infected, to infect a human, the parasite usually needs to remain attached for at least 24 hours (some data suggest 36 hours). Therefore, if you remove a tick immediately after a walk, the chance of getting sick is practically zero.

Let’s also debunk popular myths:

• Lyme disease is not airborne.
• You cannot catch it from another person through handshakes or household items.
• Pets cannot infect you directly, although they can bring ticks into the home on their fur.

Geography of Risk: The Situation in Europe

Western and Central Europe are currently endemic zones for borreliosis. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, tens of thousands of cases are registered annually. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, southern Scandinavia, the Baltic states, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovenia are all considered high-risk areas.

Climate change plays a key role. Due to warm winters, ticks do not die off from frost but continue to breed. Their geographical range is expanding; ticks are now found at altitudes where they previously did not exist, and in more northern latitudes. Consequently, regions previously considered safe are now falling into the risk zone.

However, official statistics are often underestimated. The problem with diagnosing Lyme disease is that many cases go unrecorded. Symptoms of Lyme disease in the early stage can be non-specific—fatigue, muscle pain, mild fever—and people do not link them to a potential tick bite, especially if they did not see the insect itself. As a result, many cases of borreliosis are attributed to other diseases or do not make it into official statistics at all.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease and Stages: Do Not Miss the Signals

Borreliosis is insidious because it can masquerade as dozens of other conditions. However, some signs should alert you.

Early Stage (3 to 30 days after the bite)

The most famous symptom that helps unmistakably identify Lyme borreliosis symptoms is erythema migrans.

What does a tick bite look like when infected? A red spot appears at the attachment site, gradually growing in diameter. Often (but not always!) the center of the spot grows lighter while the edges remain bright red, forming a ring or “bullseye.” The spot can reach impressive sizes—up to 30 cm or more.

In addition to skin manifestations, early symptoms of Lyme disease include:

• Body temperature rising to 38-39°C (100-102°F)
• Severe fatigue and general weakness
• Chills and body aches
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Swollen lymph nodes

These manifestations are easily confused with the flu or a viral infection. If you notice such symptoms after visiting a forest, park, or country house, even if you did not see the tick itself, this is a serious reason to see a doctor immediately.

Important: Erythema appears in 60–80% of infected individuals. In a small percentage of people, erythema may appear 3–3.5 months later. However, if there is no spot, it does not guarantee that you are healthy. If you know there was a tick bite and you feel unwell, consult a doctor.

Late Stages (months to years later)

If borreliosis is not diagnosed and treated in the early stage, bacteria spread through the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic system. Why is the disease dangerous without treatment?

• Neurological complications (Neuroborreliosis): These are among the most serious. They can include facial nerve paralysis, meningitis (inflammation of the brain membranes), sensory disturbances and numbness in limbs, severe headaches, and memory or concentration problems.
• Joint damage: This manifests as arthritis, most often in the knees. Pain can be severe, along with swelling and limited mobility. Some patients develop chronic arthritis that persists for years.
• Cardiac problems: Less common but no less dangerous. Bacteria attack the heart muscle, causing rhythm and conduction disturbances (Lyme carditis). In rare cases, this requires a pacemaker.
• Chronic manifestations: Untreated Lyme disease can lead to constant fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and cognitive impairment. These symptoms significantly reduce the quality of life and require long-term complex therapy.

At this stage, patients often go in circles: from rheumatologist to neurologist, from cardiologist to therapist. Here, a second opinion from a doctor who can analyze all symptoms is extremely important.

Diagnosing Lyme Disease: Why Is It Challenging?

Many patients think, “I'll take a blood test the day after the bite, and everything will be clear.” This is a mistake. Diagnosing borreliosis requires a comprehensive approach and a physician's experience. There is no single universal test that confirms or excludes the disease with 100% accuracy.

Clinical criteria remain the most important factor. An infectious disease doctor evaluates:

• Epidemiological history (was there contact with ticks, did the patient visit endemic areas)
• Characteristic erythema
• Typical symptoms at different stages of the disease
• Seasonality of complaints

Laboratory methods include serological tests—blood tests for antibodies to Borrelia. Two types of tests are used:

• ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): A first-line screening test. It detects IgM and IgG antibodies.
• Immunoblot (Western blot): A confirmatory test made if the ELISA result is positive or equivocal. It is more specific and helps rule out false positives.

Why can diagnosis be difficult? Serological tests have limitations:

• In the first 2–4 weeks after infection, antibodies are not yet produced in sufficient quantities, and the test may be negative.
• IgG antibodies can persist for years even after successful treatment, complicating the diagnosis of reinfection.
• Cross-reactions with other infections are possible.
• Lack of test standardization across different laboratories

This is why a comprehensive approach is vital: analyzing the clinical picture in combination with laboratory data. For suspected neuroborreliosis, spinal fluid analysis may be required; for arthritis, joint fluid analysis. This is where an online consultation with an infectious disease doctor—a specialist who regularly encounters borreliosis and knows all the diagnostic nuances—can be especially useful.

Lyme Disease Treatment and Prognosis

Lyme borreliosis treatment is successful, especially when the disease is detected early. The foundation of therapy is antibiotics, which effectively kill Borrelia bacteria.

Treatment protocols depend on disease stage:

• In the early stage (with erythema and/or mild systemic symptoms), oral antibiotics are typically prescribed for 2-3 weeks. Doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime are most commonly used. With such timely treatment, recovery occurs in 90-95% of cases.
• In late stages with neurological or cardiac complications, intravenous antibiotic administration may be required for 2-4 weeks. Treatment in Europe follows strict protocols based on years of research and proven clinical experience.

The prognosis for most patients is favorable. With timely Lyme borreliosis treatment, virtually everyone recovers completely without any long-term consequences. Even with late treatment, modern therapeutic protocols can overcome the infection and minimize complications.

However, some patients (approximately 10-20%) continue experiencing symptoms of fatigue, muscle or joint pain, and cognitive impairment after treatment completion. This condition is called post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. It's important to understand this doesn't mean the infection wasn't cured. The body simply needs more time to recover. In such cases, symptomatic therapy and rehabilitation are recommended.

MedicusUnion: Supporting Patients with Lyme Disease

When it comes to diagnosis and treatment, it is essential to consult a specialist with extensive experience in this disease. The MedicusUnion platform provides a unique opportunity to get a second opinion from leading European infectious disease specialists without traveling abroad.

Why is this important? In regions where Lyme disease is rare, doctors may lack sufficient experience to make a correct diagnosis, especially in complex or atypical cases. Meanwhile, specialists from Germany, Austria, and other endemic zones of Western Europe encounter borreliosis daily and know all the nuances of its diagnosis and treatment.

One of the leading experts available for an online consultation with an infectious disease doctor via MedicusUnion is Dr. Stefan Winkler, a recognized specialist in infectious diseases from Austria with many years of treatment experience. Dr. Winkler works with patients with Lyme disease at all stages, including complex cases with neurological and rheumatological consequences.

What can an online video consultation via MedicusUnion provide?

• Second opinion: Expert assessment of your diagnosis and prescribed Lyme borreliosis treatment.
• Analysis interpretation: Help interpret test results, especially in controversial cases.
• Individualized plan: Development of a therapy plan based on international protocols.
• Guidance on complications: Advice for patients with chronic symptoms or atypical courses.
• Organization of treatment in Europe: Assistance if hospitalization or specialized care abroad is needed.

The online consultation format allows you to quickly get an expert opinion, usually within a few days after applying. You prepare medical documents, test results, and describe your symptoms, and the European specialist thoroughly analyzes your case.

When to Seek Online Consultation

An online consultation with an infectious disease doctor is particularly valuable in these situations:

• You discovered a tick bite and a characteristic eritrema. Even if you've already consulted a local doctor, a second opinion from a qualified specialist helps ensure prescribed treatment aligns with current protocols.
• You have symptoms but no confirmed diagnosis. Unclear clinical picture, negative tests despite characteristic symptoms of Lyme disease—in such cases, an experienced infectious disease specialist's opinion may be decisive.
• You need a second opinion on the prescribed treatment. If you've been diagnosed with borreliosis and therapy has been prescribed, but you want to verify the approach, a second opinion from a European expert provides confidence.
• Chronic symptoms after Lyme disease. Post-treatment syndrome requires proper management. MedicusUnion specialists help develop rehabilitation plans and exclude other possible causes of persistent symptoms.
• Complex cases that require expert evaluation. A combination of borreliosis with other conditions, atypical progression, and resistance to standard therapy—all these situations require consultation with highly qualified specialists.

Conclusion

Lyme disease is a serious but curable condition when treated promptly with appropriate therapy. Don't ignore symptoms after a tick bite, don't self-medicate, and don't delay visiting a specialist. Your joint, nervous system, and heart health depends on how quickly you respond to the first signs of infection.

Modern telemedicine capabilities make expert medical care accessible wherever you are. MedicusUnion is your reliable guide to world-class medical expertise. Don't wait for Lyme disease to progress to chronic stages with serious complications.

Book an online consultation with an infectious disease doctor through MedicusUnion today, receive comprehensive consultation from Dr. Stefan Winkler or his colleagues, and be confident in your tomorrow. Your health is in reliable hands.