Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is transmitted through the bite of an infected deer tick. In the early stages of the infection, you may not have any symptoms, but over time, the infection can cause a wide range of health problems. If left untreated, Lyme disease can be very serious and even life-threatening.
Read more as we’ll talk about how to test for Lyme disease and other related information in today’s post.
What Are The Symptoms Of Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, depending on how far the infection has progressed. In the early stages of the infection, you may have a fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue. You may also have a bulls-eye rash that appears a few days after the bite.
If the infection is left untreated, it can spread to your joints, heart, and nervous system and cause more serious symptoms like arthritis, seizures, and meningitis. Lyme disease is a serious infection that can be difficult to treat, so it’s important to see your doctor as soon as you suspect you may have it.
What Are The Complications Of Lyme Disease?
If Lyme disease is left untreated, it can cause a number of serious health problems. Lyme disease can spread to your joints, heart, and nervous system and cause more serious symptoms like arthritis, seizures, and meningitis.
Lyme disease can also lead to long-term health problems like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Lyme disease is a serious infection that can be difficult to treat, so it’s important to see your doctor as soon as you suspect you may have it.
What Tests Are Used To Detect Lyme Disease?
There are several ways to test for Lyme disease, including blood tests, urine tests, and tests of fluid from the skin lesion.
Blood tests are the most common way to test for Lyme disease. The test looks for antibodies to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. To be specific, this is called the Elisa test, which looks for antibodies to the Lyme bacteria in your blood. If this test comes back positive, it is usually followed up with a Western blot test to confirm the diagnosis. Another option is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which can detect Lyme bacteria directly. This test is usually only performed if the Elisa and Western blot tests are inconclusive. Some people may not have detectable antibodies in their blood until after they have been infected for several weeks.
Urine tests can also be used to test for Lyme disease. The test looks for the presence of bacteria in the urine. This test is not as commonly used as the blood test, but it can be helpful in some cases.
Tests of fluid from a skin lesion can also be used to diagnose Lyme disease. This type of test is not as common as blood and urine tests, but it can be helpful in some cases.
Available Treatments
Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics if it is diagnosed early. The most commonly used antibiotics for treating Lyme disease are doxycycline and amoxicillin.
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that is used to treat a variety of infections, including Lyme disease. It comes in tablet form and is typically taken twice a day. Doxycycline can also be used to prevent malaria.
On the other hand, Amoxicillin is a type of antibiotic that is used to treat different types of infections. It works by killing the bacteria that are causing the infection.
There are also a few other medications that can be used to help treat the symptoms of Lyme disease, such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Likewise, there are many natural remedies for treating Lyme disease. Some people may choose to take herbs such as echinacea or goldenseal, while others may opt for homeopathic remedies.
Echinacea is an herbal supplement that is often used to boost the immune system. It is available in pill form, as a liquid tincture, or as a dried herb to be brewed into a tea. Some people also use echinacea topically to treat skin infections. While goldenseal is an herb that is used in many herbal remedies. It can be found in pill form or as a liquid extract. Goldenseal is used to treat a variety of illnesses, including colds, flu, and other respiratory infections. It is also used to treat digestive problems, skin conditions, and urinary tract infections. Goldenseal is believed to be a natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agent.
Furthermore, some people also find relief through acupuncture, chiropractic care, or massage therapy. It’s important to do your own research and find what works best for you.
If you think you may have Lyme disease, it is important to see a healthcare provider. Visit Pacific Frontier Medical’s clinic in Foster City, CA and the sooner you are diagnosed and treated, the better your chances are of recovering fully.