Source: CDC Public Health Image Library.
4. This patient presented with a red, expanding rash on the lateral aspect of the left thigh. Affecting any part of the body, this illness may present with fever, chills, sweats, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea and joint pain. Some patients have a rash or Bell’s palsy.
Diagnosis: Lyme disease, caused by B. burgdorferi bacteria, is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Ixodes ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
Because its symptoms mimic many other diseases, diagnosing Lyme disease can be difficult. The diagnosis is based on symptoms, physical findings, eg, rash, and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks; laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods.
Treatment choice depends on the whether the disease is early or late. Most cases of early Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics.
For more information, see “Lyme Disease Presents Differently in Men and Women.”