Since the rash may fade before medical attention is sought, a photograph of the rash can aid proper diagnosis. If ignored, the early symptoms may disappear, but more serious problems can develop months to years later. The latter stages of Lyme disease can be severe and chronic. Muscle pain and arthritis, usually of the large joints, is common. Eye, heart, gastrointestinal and respira-tory problems can develop.
Symptoms are often intermittent, lasting from a few days to several months and sometimes years.
Chronic Lyme disease, because of its diverse symptoms, mimics many other diseases and can be difficult to diagnose. Back To Top Detection and Treatment Early diagnosis of Lyme disease is based on finding a tick and the rash or, if there is no rash, the severe flu-like symptoms. Antibiotics given during the early stage can eliminate or decrease the severity of the latter stage symptoms. Antibiotics are also used to treat latter stage symptoms. Persons in areas with Lyme disease must be alert to ticks and to a rash or severe flu-like symptoms during the summer.