Hospitalization may be necessary in that case. If untreated, the original flulike symptoms of Lyme disease stop after a few weeks. A new set of symptoms, often including severe headaches, emerges. Often the disease settles in the joints, producing Lyme arthritis , a painful condition that persists indefinitely without treatment. Sometimes the disease causes tics, nerve damage, or mental problems.
Patients often complain of fatigue .
Some report personality changes, intolerance to noise, or depression . In regions where Lyme disease occurs, dress to keep ticks from biting in bushy or wooded areas, including backyards. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants tucked into the tops of socks. A hat also helps. Ticks cannot leap or fly, so you will not be bitten unless you brush against a place where a tick is waiting.