Symptoms like fatigue, headache, and body ache are common in both COVID-19 and Lyme disease. With summer approaching and more people hiking in the woods where ticks, which carry Lyme disease, congregate, experts explain what to look out for.

According to Healthline, Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States and most cases occur in June and July.

"Lyme, like other tick-borne diseases, is associated with general flu-like symptoms, such as fever, head and body ache, and fatigue," Jory Brinkerhoff, PhD, an associate professor pf biology at the University of Richmond, told Healthline.

However, he added that tick-borne diseases are not likely to cause respiratory symptoms. COVID-19 often causes coughing and difficulty breathing.

Lyme disease is also characterized by a red, bull's-eye shaped rash that develops around the site of the tick bite, according to Healthline. Between 70-80% of patients have this symptom, according to The Conversation. But the rash might not show until the person develops flu-like symptoms and a fever, so it is often mistaken for COVID-19. That is why it is important to tell medical personnel if you have been in areas where ticks are prominent since early treatment with antibiotics can reduce the severity of Lyme disease.

Experts told Healthline, if a patient presents with fatigue and malaise, their first diagnosis would be a viral infection, and depending on other symptoms, they would suggest testing for COVID-19. If the test is negative, they would further check for other illnesses, such as Lyme disease or autoimmune disorders.