Early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
In about 70% to 80% of infections, a rash will appear. About 30% of those rashes have a “bull's-eye” appearance, but most do not. In any case, the rash is uniformly round and red or bluish-red in color.
The rash expands gradually over a period of days and can grow to about 12 inches across. It may feel warm to the touch, but rarely itches or becomes painful. It can appear on any part of the body.