Lyme disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose. Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria and transmitted by the bite of a tick. The name comes from a town in Connecticut where a number of cases were identified in the 1970s. The primary symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic circular "bulls-eye" rash. Later the disease may affect the heart, joints and central nervous system.

Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder, where the body attacks itself; it is not contagious. It causes inflammation and tissue damage in the joints, heart, liver, kidneys and nervous system. Symptoms include joint pain, fatigue, cognitive impairment and fever. Sufferers often exhibit a "butterfly rash" across their cheeks and nose or experience other dermatological symptoms.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, although a study published in the Oct. 8, 2009 issue of "Science" links the disease to a retrovirus. Symptoms include extreme mental and physical exhaustion, digestive troubles, headaches, insomnia, and muscle and joint aches.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is another disease with no clear cause, although acute or chronic stress may be a precipitating factor. Its primary manifestation is severe chronic joint and muscle pain and tenderness. There is a set of paired spots on the body that, if enough of them are painfully tender to the touch, are used to diagnose fibromyalgia. Secondary symptoms include fatigue, insomnia and joint stiffness.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system. Its cause is unknown. It causes a wide range of neurological symptoms that worsen as the disease advances. These can include muscle weakness and spasms, problems with balance and coordination, fatigue, pain, visual disruptions, cognitive impairment, numbness and a prickling "pins and needles" sensation on the skin.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is another autoimmune disorder causing inflammation of the joints. Joint pain, swelling and stiffness plus anemia are the primary symptoms, but the condition can also affect other organs as well as the skin. It can be diagnosed with a series of blood tests.

Ringworm and Other Initial Mistakes

The characteristic circular rash of Lyme disease, also known as a "bulls-eye rash" or erythema migrans, is sometimes misdiagnosed as ringworm, a relatively mild fungal infection. The rash may also be dismissed as an insect or spider bite. The initial infection, with fever and aches, is sometimes misdiagnosed as influenza.

Source:

Wrong Diagnosis: Misdiagnosis of Lyme Disease

Lyme Info: Lyme Disease Misdiagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis

Science News: Retrovirus Might Be Culprit in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

More Information:

LymeNet: Lyme Disease Network