Lyme disease symptoms
In Maine, deer ticks can carry Lyme disease. In most cases, a deer tick needs to be attached for 24 to 48 hours before it can transmit Lyme disease. Here’s a run-down of Lyme disease symptoms.
Stage 1 Lyme disease symptoms (usually occur within three to 30 days after a tick bite)
- Chills
- Fever
- Headache
- Lack of energy
- Achy joints or muscles
- Rash that resembles a bull’s eye (an estimated 70% to 85% will get a rash)
Stage 2 Lyme disease symptoms (one to four months)
- Tiredness
- Additional rashes
- Pain, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
- Paralysis of nerves in the face
- Recurring headaches or fainting
- Poor memory, inability to concentrate
- Conjunctivitis
- Occasional rapid heartbeats
Stage 3 Lyme disease symptoms (several months or years)
- Joint swelling, especially the knees
- Numbness and tingling in hands, feet or back
- Severe fatigue
- Neurologic changes
- Chronic Lyme arthritis
Lyme disease is easily treated in the early stages with antibiotics, which are also used to treat later stages of the disease. There used to be a vaccine available, but it was taken off the market in 2002, supposedly because there wasn’t enough demand.
Read more about tick season in Maine.
Powassan virus symptoms
It appears that the Powassan virus can be transmitted from tick to human in as little as one hour. Symptoms may occur from two days to two weeks after a bite.
There is no telltale rash and many people who become infected don’t develop any symptoms. If they do, they can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Loss of coordination
- Speech difficulties
- Seizures
Treatment
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent Powassan or medications to treat an infection. Encephalitis is generally treated with supportive care and medicine to reduce swelling in the brain.
Lyme disease symptoms is a guest post was written by Diane Atwood for Advantage Home Care, which provides a wide variety of in-home senior services, including non-medical care for individuals who have medical conditions, medication reminders and transportation to and from doctor’s appointments.
If you would like to learn more about their caregivers and the services they offer, see Advantage Home Care or call at 1-888-846-1410 or 207-699-2570.