Some result from exposures to medicines or chemicals. For example, alcohol abuse can cause fetal alcohol syndrome. Infections during pregnancy can also result in birth defects. For most birth defects, the cause is unknown.
Much like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lyme often causes a profound exhaustion that is significantly worse than what is seen in other illnesses. Fatigue is common in Lyme disease because energy is being used to battle the systemic infection. Therefore, antibiotics can play an important role in the treatment. Other causes of fatigue, such as anemia, sleep apnea, hormonal disturbances and lifestyle factors should also be evaluated.
In early Lyme disease, patients often experience moderate to severe flu-like symptoms (fatigue, chills, fever, headache, and muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes). In about 18% of cases, the classic well known CDC clinical features of Lyme disease are not present.