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How To Diagnose Lyme Disease?
Question: i have removed two ticks this past year and believe it lyme
Brief Answer:
Information for diagnosing Lyme disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Lyme disease carrying ticks are becoming more prevalent. If you think you have been bitten by ticks, had a bulls eye shaped rash, fever, joint aches, or even if you haven't and just want to check, you can go to your doctor or a clinic and have one of two tests done:
Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)
or
Immunoflourescence Assay (IFA)
If you are having symptoms, you should also get a Sedimentation Rate (Sed Rate) to follow the level of inflammation that is happening.
IF the EIA or IFA results are positive or unclear, and if you have had symptoms within the last 30 days (or fewer days), then the next step is an IgG and IgM Western Blot test.
If symptoms have been going on for more than 30 days, then the next step is an IgG Western Blot test.
Treatment will depend on your test results and symptoms.
I hope this information helps for what you are wanting to know. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Information for diagnosing Lyme disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Lyme disease carrying ticks are becoming more prevalent. If you think you have been bitten by ticks, had a bulls eye shaped rash, fever, joint aches, or even if you haven't and just want to check, you can go to your doctor or a clinic and have one of two tests done:
Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)
or
Immunoflourescence Assay (IFA)
If you are having symptoms, you should also get a Sedimentation Rate (Sed Rate) to follow the level of inflammation that is happening.
IF the EIA or IFA results are positive or unclear, and if you have had symptoms within the last 30 days (or fewer days), then the next step is an IgG and IgM Western Blot test.
If symptoms have been going on for more than 30 days, then the next step is an IgG Western Blot test.
Treatment will depend on your test results and symptoms.
I hope this information helps for what you are wanting to know. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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