Lyme Disease: Symptoms, Treatment and Recovery

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by some ticks. It can usually be treated with antibiotics, but diagnosis, treatment choice and recovery depend on symptoms, timing, examination and individual health.

Symptoms and assessment

An expanding circular or oval rash can occur, but not everyone develops or notices one. Flu-like symptoms, facial weakness, nerve pain, joint swelling, palpitations or other neurological or cardiac symptoms require medical assessment. Testing is interpreted alongside the clinical history; a test alone does not diagnose every case.

Treatment and persistent symptoms

A clinician selects antibiotics and duration according to recognised guidance and the clinical presentation. Some symptoms can take time to improve after treatment. Persistent symptoms need reassessment for complications, another diagnosis or supportive care; this does not justify unproven prolonged or repeated antibiotic treatment without specialist advice.

Urgent care and prevention

Seek urgent help for severe headache with neck stiffness, new weakness, fainting, chest pain, significant palpitations, breathing difficulty or rapidly worsening illness. Reduce risk by using suitable clothing and repellent, checking skin after outdoor activity and removing attached ticks promptly and correctly.

Use the NHS Lyme disease guide and seek care from an appropriate local medical service. This page is general information and is not a Revitalize treatment offer or a substitute for diagnosis.