But because the adult tick can also transmit Lyme disease, illness can occur at nearly any time of the year. In addition, there can be a long incubation between the tick bite and some of the later recognized symptoms. The hallmark of Lyme disease is the characteristic red rash with a clear center, which may appear in different parts of the body 3-31 days after the tick bite. Often flu-like symptoms may be associated with it. Treatment at this stage is most effective and generally consists of oral antibiotics.
Oral tetracycline is the drug of choice for the rash and other early symptoms.
Unfortunately later manifestations of Lyme disease may occur with or without the rash having been present. Treatment is beneficial for these later manifestations but may require intraveneous antibiotics. Laboratory tests may be useful to confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease but specific antibodies are usually not detectable until 4-6 weeks after initial infection. Tests may remain negative and the diagnosis must be made by clinical evaluation. There is now a vaccine to protect against lyme disease called Lymerix.