Lyme Disease Incubation Period

The first symptoms after being infected with Lyme disease usually appear within three months (incubation period). The bacterium that has penetrated the body primarily affects the nervous system, joints, skin, and heart. These symptoms often occur after a red spot has appeared at the site of the tick bite, but this is not always the case.

Red Spot After Tick Bite

A circular red spot at the location of the tick bite is the only visible symptom of Lyme disease. This red (sometimes also blue or pink) spot usually appears after a few days to two weeks, but it can also take up to three months to appear. The spot typically spreads into a pale red ring with a lighter color in the center. About three-quarters of people infected with Lyme disease experience such a red spot. This can later be accompanied by flu-like symptoms, fever, fatigue, pain and swelling in muscles and joints, shortness of breath, palpitations, and/or headache.

Symptoms After Recovery or Late Treatment

Many patients recover after a 10-day to three-week course of antibiotics. However, there can still be late manifestations of Lyme, often when the disease has not been detected early or has not been treated with antibiotics. This is also known as Post-Lyme Disease Syndrome. Sometimes late symptoms can also occur even if there was appropriate antibiotic treatment in the early stage.