Symptoms. Late Lyme disease usually develops 6-36 months after a person first receives the causal infectious tick bite. The symptoms of late Lyme disease differ from the earlier stages. In North America, joint pain and swelling is very common.

Can Lyme disease go undetected for years?

If Lyme disease is not diagnosed and treated early, the spirochetes can spread and may go into hiding in different parts of the body. Weeks, months or even years later, patients may develop problems with the brain and nervous system, muscles and joints, heart and circulation, digestion, reproductive system, and skin.

What Happens If Lyme disease goes untreated for years?

Untreated, Lyme disease can spread to other parts of your body for several months to years after infection, causing arthritis and nervous system problems. Ticks can also transmit other illnesses, such as babesiosis and Colorado tick fever.

How long can you have Lyme disease without symptoms?

These symptoms can start at any time, from 3 days to up to a month after you have been bitten. Some people dont have any symptoms when they are in the early stages of Lyme disease. And they may not even remember getting a tick bite. If Lyme disease goes untreated, you can have more serious symptoms over time.