Lyme Disease and Related Tick-Borne Infections - Complications

Complications

Prompt treatment with antibiotics is very effective in curing Lyme disease in nearly all infected people, including children. However, untreated Lyme disease can lead to complications.

Complications of Late-Stage Lyme Disease

People at highest risk for persistent symptoms are those who go the longest before treatment. Fortunately, public vigilance has significantly reduced the rates of late-stage Lyme disease. Antibiotics given at late stages will relieve symptoms in most people, although about 5% may continue to have problems.

Left untreated, Lyme disease can spread (disseminate). The infection may affect almost any part of the body and cause the following complications:

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• Severe arthritis
• Persistent fatigue
• Mood disturbances and loss of concentration
• Neuropathy (numbness, tingling, or other odds sensations in the hands, arms, feet or legs)
• Life-threatening disorders affecting the heart, lungs, or nervous system can occur, but are very rare.

About 60% of untreated patients develop arthritis, which usually affects a knee or other large joint. About 10 - 20% of patients develop neurological or heart problems.

Persistent neurological symptoms include headache, attention and memory problems, and depression. Patients may also experience pain or tingling in legs or arms (peripheral neuropathy), numbness, or facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy). Neurologic symptoms generally resolve and improve within a year.

The main heart complications are electrical conduction problems caused by the infection, which can result in an abnormally slow heart rate.

Pregnancy. In rare cases, Lyme disease acquired during pregnancy can lead to infection of the placenta and possible miscarriage or stillbirth. Studies indicate that pregnant women infected with Lyme disease can safely be treated with antibiotics without endangering the fetus.

Post-Lyme Disease Syndrome

Lyme disease is a curable condition. Nearly all patients (95%) improve after a short course of antibiotics. In very rare cases, patients continue to complain of persistent non-specific symptoms, such as fatigue, muscle aches, cognitive problems, and headache lasting years after completing antibiotic treatment for the initial infection.

This syndrome, which resembles chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or fibromyalgia, is referred to as post-Lyme disease syndrome. In the past, it has been called “chronic Lyme disease.” However, based on many reviews of scientific literature, researchers and doctors strongly believe that Lyme disease does not have a chronic state. According to the 2006 guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Association of America, post-Lyme disease syndrome is the preferred name for this condition.