Lyme Disease Symptoms and Co-Infections Guide
1. Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)
Lyme disease itself causes a range of symptoms that often fluctuate, with some being more dominant depending on the stage of the disease Here's what to look out for:
● Flu-like symptoms: Fever, chills, muscle aches
● Migratory joint pain: Typically moves from one joint to another (knees, shoulders, hips)
● Fatigue: Debilitating and persistent, worsened by physical activity
● Cognitive issues: "Brain fog , " memory problems, difficulty concentrating
● Headaches and neck stiffness: Especially early in the disease
● Bell’s palsy: Facial drooping or paralysis on one side of the face
● Cardiac issues: Heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, Lyme carditis
Key Symptom Pattern:
● Migrating joint pain and stiffness, particularly in large joints like knees, is a hallmark of Lyme disease.
2. Babesia (a malaria-like parasite)
Babesia affects red blood cells, causing symptoms similar to malaria This co-infection often makes Lyme symptoms much worse, particularly with fatigue and fever-related symptoms.
● Night sweats: Often drenching and regular
● Air hunger: Shortness of breath or feeling like you can’t get enough air
● Fevers and chills: Recurrent fevers, typically low-grade
● Fatigue: Extreme, often debilitating , and resistant to rest
● Dizziness: Often occurs with shortness of breath
● Muscle pain: Often accompanied by joint pain
Key Symptom Pattern:
● Night sweats, air hunger, and recurrent low-grade fevers are the classic trio of Babesia symptoms.
3. Bartonella ("Cat Scratch Fever")
Bartonella can lead to both physical and neuropsychiatric symptoms, making it tricky to diagnose but distinctive once identified
● Skin rashes or streaks: Resembling stretch marks or red streaks (often on the torso)
● Foot pain: Particularly pain in the soles, especially in the morning
● Neurological symptoms: Irritability, anxiety, depression, or sudden mood swings
● Swollen lymph nodes: Particularly in the neck, armpits, and groin
● Tenderness of the skin or muscles: Often making simple touch painful
● Severe headaches or migraines
Key Symptom Pattern:
● Skin rashes resembling stretch marks and foot pain are unique clues for Bartonella
4. Ehrlichia / Anaplasma
These bacterial co-infections affect white blood cells and often mimic flu symptoms. They can cause more acute illnesses but also overlap with Lyme, especially when caught early
● High fever: Often higher than Lyme alone
● Severe headaches: Behind the eyes or in the front of the head
● Muscle aches: Severe, more generalized body aches
● Gastrointestinal issues: Nausea, vomiting , or diarrhea
● Low white blood cell count: Can show up in blood work
● Liver enzyme abnormalities: Mildly elevated liver enzymes
Key Symptom Pattern:
● Acute high fever, severe headaches, and body aches that mimic a flu-like illness often indicate Ehrlichia or Anaplasma.
5. Mycoplasma
Mycoplasma infections are stealth bacteria that invade the cells, and they can be particularly ag gressive when present with Lyme disease
● Respiratory symptoms: Dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing
● Joint pain: Often in smaller joints like fingers and wrists
● Fatigue and weakness: Worsening after exertion
● Headaches and muscle aches
● Autoimmune-like symptoms: Muscle twitching , numbness, and tingling
● Skin issues: Rashes or hypersensitivity
Key Symptom Pattern:
● Respiratory issues (chronic cough or wheezing) combined with small joint pain, such as in the hands or feet, sug gest Mycoplasma involvement.
6. Chlamydia pneumoniae (another bacterial co-infection)
Chlamydia pneumoniae often affects the respiratory system but can also have neurological effects when paired with Lyme.
● Chronic sinus infections: Congestion, facial pain, and pressure
● Asthma-like symptoms: Shortness of breath, wheezing
● Brain fog and cognitive dysfunction: Difficulty with focus and memory
● Joint pain and stiffness: More common in the morning
Key Symptom Pattern:
● Chronic respiratory symptoms combined with brain fog and morning stiffness can point toward Chlamydia pneumoniae.
How to Use This Guide
Many Lyme patients suffer from overlapping symptoms of multiple infections. Here’s how you can use this guide:
● Track your symptoms: Pay attention to which symptoms are most prominent and recurring.
● Seek advanced testing: Labs like IGeneX, Armin Labs, and the Vibrant Tickborne Panel specialize in detecting Lyme and co-infections, offering a more comprehensive diagnosis than standard tests.
● Consider your treatment options: Once your co-infections are identified, treatments can be tailored to address the specific bacteria or parasites causing your symptoms
Call to Action:
If you're tired of managing debilitating symptoms without answers, our team at The Karlfeldt Center can help Schedule a free 15-minute discovery call to discuss your symptoms and explore advanced testing and treatment options tailored to your unique needs. Call us at 208-338-8902 or email info@thekarlfeldtcenter.com to start your path to healing