Characteristics and Lyme disease symptoms and diagnosis patterns of participants (n=26)
| Age, years, n (%) | |
| 18–39 | 9 (34.6) |
| 40–64 | 11 (42.3) |
| 65+ | 6 (23.1) |
| Female, n (%) | 14 (53.8) |
| Race/ethnicity, n (%) | |
| White, non-Hispanic | 26 (100) |
| Ever received medical assistance, n (%) | 8 (30.1) |
| Rash, n (%) | |
| ‘Bull’s-eye’ rash | 3 (11.5) |
| Other rash | 7 (26.9) |
| No rash | 16 (61.5) |
| First symptom/condition recalled*, n (%) | |
| Joint pain/swelling | 8 (30.8) |
| Rash | 4 (15.4) |
| Fatigue | 4 (15.4) |
| Headache | 3 (11.5) |
| Bell’s palsy | 1 (3.8) |
| Other† | 7 (26.9) |
| No symptom recalled | 1 (3.8) |
| Symptom/condition that triggered first contact with medical provider, n (%) | |
| Joint pain | 9 (34.6) |
| Rash | 5 (19.2) |
| Fatigue | 3 (11.5) |
| Bell’s palsy | 2 (7.7) |
| Other‡ | 5 (19.2) |
| No symptom recalled—rash discovered during clinic visit for other conditions | 2 (7.7) |
| Self-reported Lyme-related diagnoses, n (%) | |
| Joint pain (diagnosis of Lyme arthritis not specified) | 10 (38.5) |
| Bell’s palsy | 8 (30.7) |
| Carditis | 2 (7.7) |
| Meningitis | 1 (3.8) |
| First medical care provider contacted, n (%) | |
| Urgent care/emergency department | 10 (38.5) |
| Primary care provider | 13 (50.0) |
| Other | 3 (11.5) |
| Misdiagnosed by medical provider, n (%) | 9 (34.6) |
| Medical care provider who misdiagnosed§, n (% of misdiagnoses) | |
| Urgent care/emergency department (both) | 7 (77.8) |
| Primary care provider | 4 (44.4) |
*The total is greater than 26 because one participant reported pain and rash occurred at the same time.
†Other symptoms: vomiting; shortness of breath; aches/pains, not specific to joints (3); and tick bite.
‡Other symptoms: vision change (2), stiff neck, vomiting and dizziness.
§The total is greater than 9 because two patients were misdiagnosed by both emergency department and primary care physician.