lyme disease PREVENTION

The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid areas where ticks are commonly found. If this is not possible and you do come in contact with ticks, it is important to check yourself for ticks and remove them as soon as possible. It is also advisable to apply insect repellent on the skin before venturing into forests or wooded areas where ticks are known to live. It is also important that you spray your clothing with insect repellent since ticks can attach themselves to your clothes if they cannot find a host nearby. This will prevent ticks from climbing onto your body while you are in the woods or forest.

lyme disease test

If you suspect you have contracted Lyme disease, it is important that you contact your doctor for a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. The blood test will look for antibodies to Borrelia bacteria, and these antibodies are what protect you from contracting Lyme disease as well as from other diseases transmitted by ticks. The test may take up to 2 months before the results come back.

A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test is another form of testing that can be carried out to diagnose Lyme disease, as it allows for a more exact diagnosis.

lyme disease treatment

The treatment for Lyme disease is very effective in most cases, and the antibiotic can be taken for a few weeks or even months for the Lyme bacteria to be killed off. During this time, it is important that you remain vigilant by washing your sheets, clothing, and towels and by using insect repellent twice daily as well as taking all of your medications.

I’m Not Crazy, I’m Sick

Lyme Disease
Documentary

Lyme Disease is wreaking havoc on millions of lives.

From the award-winning director Elle Ginter and Oscar-winning cinematographer of Free Solo, Clair Popkin, I’m Not Crazy, I’m Sick is the story of how three families and a former WNBA MVP’s fight for survival against Lyme Disease.


Lyme Disease Treatment

The treatment is available with the use of antibiotics, and this has to be taken daily for a few weeks. The drug used to treat Lyme disease is doxycycline, which also treats other infections like malaria and typhoid fever. The drug usually works within 7 to 10 days, and it is then possible to resume normal activities without the risk of relapse. It is advisable to consult with a doctor before starting any antibiotic treatment, especially if you are expectant, because the treatment may affect your unborn baby.

Amoxicillin or cefuroxime are other antibiotics that can help you to treat the infection and alleviate symptoms. If taken in the early stages of infection, cefuroxime usually works well and is also very safe for use during pregnancy. However, if you have other infections, such as Lyme disease or typhoid fever, at the same time, it may not be wise to take doxycycline unless your doctor advises it is alright to do so.

Lyme Disease Symptoms

The symptoms include;

i) A circular rash that is red, flat, and not itchy. The rash may be unpleasant to look at and can appear to have a bull’s eye in the center.
ii) Flu-like symptoms such as muscle pains, fever, or fatigue which are commonly mistaken for flu or other less serious illnesses.
iii) A stiff neck since Lyme disease affects the joints, so you might have difficulty turning your head or bending your neck. Your knees might also ache from time to time.
iv) A headache due to the fact that this disease affects your brain and central nervous system. This can be mild up to very severe in some patients, but most often, it is constant in intensity regardless of severity.
v) Numbness in any part of your body, especially if you suffer from peripheral neuropathy. This means that you may experience numbness in your toes, fingers or arms, and hands. You may also feel burning sensations in any part of your body.

the care that you deserve

Lyme Disease

chronic lyme disease

Chronic Lyme disease can cause serious complications and lead to other conditions that develop from it, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Alzheimer’s disease. Once you start experiencing these complications, then the condition is likely to develop into something much more severe that proves more difficult for a doctor to treat successfully.

lyme disease eyes

No, Lyme disease is not contagious but can be found in the eye. It is only transmitted through bites from infected ticks. The only way for it to spread from one person to another is through the bites of the ticks and the subsequent infection caused after a tick has attached itself to your skin or onto your clothes or bedding. Lyme disease does not spread from one person to another person unless the infected tick is still attached to someone else’s body when it gets a hold of you.

lyme disease vaccine

Researchers are working on a prfolatic pill taken prior to high risk situations. The treatment is  in IRB now.

how is lyme disease diagnosed

If you visit your doctor with Lyme disease symptoms, he may treat you with antibiotics to rule out any other infections and illnesses. If his Lyme disease tests return positive, the diagnosis will be confirmed. If the test does not confirm it as Lyme disease, another blood test is recommended to eliminate other possible causes for symptoms after a couple of months.

How is Lyme Disease Diagnosed?

If you visit your doctor with Lyme disease symptoms, he may treat you with antibiotics to rule out any other infections and illnesses. If his Lyme disease tests return positive, the diagnosis will be confirmed. If the test does not confirm it as Lyme disease, another blood test is recommended to eliminate other possible causes for symptoms after a couple of months.

The doctor may also ask you to undergo tests to check the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. Still, these will only be ordered if the preliminary tests result in an inconclusive diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Lyme Disease Transmission

Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. These ticks are commonly known as deer ticks, dog ticks, and wood ticks. The tick has its mouth part underneath its body, making it difficult for the tick to be seen without any light. The black-legged tick generally finds a host by crawling slowly in search of a suitable place to attach itself to its victim’s skin or clothing, and it then bites you, usually on your legs but occasionally on your back or arms.

Once the tick gets a hold of you, it will try to attach itself to your skin with its mouthparts and suck blood from your body. It usually usually takes from 2 to 15 days for the tick to fully attach itself to your skin while feeding on you. It is important that you inspect yourself daily after being bitten if the tick has attached itself to your body so that you can remove it without causing infection. You should also check your clothing and bedding for ticks if you are in a wooded area where they are known to live. If you find any of these on your clothes or bedding, remove them immediately.

Lyme Disease Test

If you suspect you have contracted Lyme disease, it is important that you contact your doctor for a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. The blood test will look for antibodies to Borrelia bacteria, and these antibodies are what protect you from contracting Lyme disease as well as from other diseases transmitted by ticks. The test may take up to 2 months before the results come back.

A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test is another form of testing that can be carried out to diagnose Lyme disease, as it allows for a more exact diagnosis.

Lyme Disease Prevention

The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to avoid areas where ticks are commonly found. If this is not possible and you do come in contact with ticks, it is important to check yourself for ticks and remove them as soon as possible. It is also advisable to apply insect repellent on the skin before venturing into forests or wooded areas where ticks are known to live. It is also important that you spray your clothing with insect repellent since ticks can attach themselves to your clothes if they cannot find a host nearby. This will prevent ticks from climbing onto your body while you are in the woods or forest.

What our patients say about us:

Judith H

NYC

Family summer cut shot in the North East for some unknow reason, but now we know after weeks of tests and several doctors it was a tick bite…very scarry but glad we found help for Judie.

Dr. Travic PHD, MD,FAC

Texas Provider

Many people have no clue and no where to go. Early is better in most health situations, but it is very true when it comes to Lyme Disease.

MaryC.

MD. PRN

Knowing is half the battle, and understanding time of exposure and location is very important information to share with your provider!

Dr.Rick

Researcher

There is a future where high risk patients could have a prophylactic pill to mitigate Lyme Disease before it becomes a problem. Research is in IRM and hoping for FDA approval in the next several years!

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Lyme Disease Facts

What Should I Do If I Get Bit By a Tick?

The first step in treating Lyme disease is removing the tick as soon as possible, which can often be done with fine-tipped tweezers. It is important that you remove the entire tick’s body because leaving behind any part of its body can cause infection in the bite wound. After removing the tick, wash the area of the skin around it with soap and water to keep bacteria from entering your bloodstream. This occurs when the tick’s mouthparts remain on the skin.

It is very important to consult a doctor immediately if you experience Lyme disease symptoms. It is advised that you also seek medical advice even if you do not have any symptoms or experience any new or worsening symptoms of the disease in order to rule out other possible causes for your problems. However, if you have had Lyme disease previously, you should be tested to see if you are still infected with it. This can be done by giving a blood test.

Lyme Disease Transmission

Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. These ticks are commonly known as deer ticks, dog ticks, and wood ticks. The tick has its mouth part underneath its body, making it difficult for the tick to be seen without any light. The black-legged tick generally finds a host by crawling slowly in search of a suitable place to attach itself to its victim’s skin or clothing, and it then bites you, usually on your legs but occasionally on your back or arms.

Once the tick gets a hold of you, it will try to attach itself to your skin with its mouthparts and suck blood from your body. It usually usually takes from 2 to 15 days for the tick to fully attach itself to your skin while feeding on you. It is important that you inspect yourself daily after being bitten if the tick has attached itself to your body so that you can remove it without causing infection and infection. You should also check your clothing and bedding for ticks if you are in a wooded area where they are known to live. If you find any of these on your clothes or bedding, remove them immediately.

how is lyme disease diagnosed

The first step in diagnosing Lyme disease is to take a blood test for the presence of antibodies to Borrelia bacteria. If this test returns positive, it means that you have made your own antibodies to fight the bacteria and are not infected with Lyme disease. Normally this will happen two weeks after exposure and will last another two or three months before the body can no longer make these antibodies. If a blood test comes back negative, this means that you have not yet made any antibodies against the bacteria, so you may be infected but do not have Lyme disease yet.

how do you get lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection carried by ticks. The ticks can latch on to humans or other animals while they are in forested areas near grass or tall bushes. The tick will suck blood from the human or animal host, which can cause the bacteria to spread through the body. This is why removing a tick as soon as possible after becoming attached is essential. There are several types of ticks that can carry Lyme disease, including the deer tick and the western black-legged tick.

how long does lyme disease last and Is It Contagious?

No, Lyme disease is not contagious. It is only transmitted through bites from infected ticks. The only way for it to spread from one person to another is through the bites of the ticks and the subsequent infection caused after a tick has attached itself to your skin or onto your clothes or bedding. Lyme disease does not spread from one person to another person unless the infected tick is still attached to someone else’s body when it gets a hold of you.

Why Are People Prone To Getting Lyme Disease?

There are several reasons why people are more likely to contract Lyme disease than others.

Individuals with weakened immune systems and those with a low number of white blood cells are more prone to getting Lyme disease, as the immune system does not work as quickly as it should when fighting off infections.

The elderly and children under the age of 4, expectant women, and individuals who take medications after suffering from tick bites are also more vulnerable to Lyme disease.

How Does Lyme Disease Affect The Mind And Body?

Lyme disease can have short-term effects such as fatigue and depression, while long-term effects include neck pain, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, rashes or lesions on the skin, as well as joint pains and arthritis. Lyme disease symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for other common diseases such as diabetes or arthritis.

Are There Preventative Measures That Can Be Taken?

There are many preventative measures that can be taken in order to avoid getting Lyme disease. Avoid traveling to known areas where the disease is prevalent at all times of the year. If you or your children walk in the woods, make sure they wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors, with tall socks and shoes that cover their ankles. You should also ensure that their clothing fits properly around them so that ticks cannot easily get a hold of them.

How To Handle A Tick Bite?

If you suspect a tick has bitten you while in a forested area or where ticks are commonly found, it is important to remove the tick as soon as possible. The longer the tick is attached to your body, the greater your risk of contracting Lyme disease. It is recommended that you use tweezers to grab the body of the tick and then pull it out using slow, steady pressure. You must be sure not to twist or jerk the tick because this can cause harmful bacteria from inside the mouth of the tick to enter your bloodstream, increasing your risk of contracting Lyme disease.

Can you live a long life with Lyme disease?

If you are diagnosed with Lyme disease and your symptoms are not severe, then you can live a normal life even with this condition. Since Lyme disease symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases, it is important that you have a blood test to find out if you have Lyme disease. If this test comes back positive, then it is important that as soon as possible, your doctor should give you antibiotics or another drug in order to treat the infection before it causes any long-term damage to your body. Once you have been treated for the infection successfully, then it is essential that you take extra precautions so that this does not occur again.

Who is at risk?

Although Lyme disease is treatable if caught in its early stages, many people are unaware of their infection due to the fact that they may not have any symptoms of Lyme disease. People at most risk include forest workers, hikers, and campers, as ticks tend to be commonly found in wooded areas and forests.

How soon after a tick bite do you need antibiotics?

If an infected tick bites you, it is important that you see a doctor as soon as possible so that he can prescribe antibiotics for you. The reason for this is that any delay in taking antibiotics can result in the infected tick sucking your blood more and making it more difficult for your body to fight off the infection. The longer the tick stays on your skin, the greater your chance of getting Lyme disease infection.

How long does Lyme disease take to develop after a tick bite?

It takes anywhere from 2 days to a month after being bitten by a tick for Lyme disease to develop. This may take from a couple of weeks to a few months, depending on how much the tick has fed. If you have had a severe reaction to the bite, then it may take longer for Lyme disease to develop.

Do I need a local anesthetic to remove a tick?

Yes, if you are going to be removing the tick yourself by using tweezers or nail clippers, you will need to use local anesthesia. There are also many other products on the market today, such as lindane and permethrin, that can be used in order to kill ticks safely and effectively.

How soon does doxycycline start treating Lyme?

Doxycycline is a powerful antibiotic that can be used to treat Lyme disease and other infections. The sooner you take the drug, the better it will work. The sooner you take it, the less likely it is that the bacteria causing Lyme disease will develop resistance to this drug.

How effective is doxycycline?

Doxycycline is one of the best medicines available today to effectively treat bacterial infections like Lyme disease and prevent them from developing antibiotic resistance. Getting two doses of doxycycline every day for two weeks should be enough in order to successfully kill off any bacteria causing your infection and thus cure your infection.

Can Lyme disease in its late stages be cured?

Yes, Lyme disease can be cured in its late stages. It is sometimes hard to cure the infection once it has reached its advanced or chronic stages because the bacteria causing it has developed resistance to the antibiotics being used. Therefore, in order to effectively cure Lyme disease, you will need to make sure that you use antibiotics that are not prone to developing antibiotic resistance.

Does Lyme disease qualify for disability?

Lyme disease is considered a neurological disorder, so it qualifies for disability benefits. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, you will not be able to receive social security benefits if you suffer from Lyme disease because it has no symptoms that are visible in everyday life.

Does Lyme disease hurt the brain?

It is possible that Lyme disease can harm the brain in some way and cause long-term damage should you suffer from this condition for too long. However, this does not have any symptoms that are visible in everyday life and therefore is likely to be ignored by your doctor, who may simply attribute any changes or loss of abilities to the normal aging process.

How do I know I’m free of Lyme disease?

You can determine whether or not you have been cured of Lyme disease by having your doctor order a special blood test. If there are no positive results, then you can be sure that you are no longer infected with this condition and are free of this infection.

What percent of people recover from Lyme disease?

The percentage of people that recover from Lyme disease is 90%. However, you might not recover if you fail to follow the correct treatment protocols.

What are some of the progressions seen in the late stages of Lyme disease?

Several different stages can represent the progression of Lyme disease. With each new stage, there is an improvement in the severity of symptoms that a person may experience.

What triggers Lyme disease flare ups?

There are a number of different conditions which can make Lyme disease flare up. These include the presence of an infected tick in your body, physical trauma and other infections in the body. Stress can also be a factor that causes flare ups in Lyme disease.

Do people with Lyme disease sleep a lot?

When you are suffering from Lyme disease and it is not properly treated, then you can experience a great deal of fatigue. You might feel like you are constantly out of breath when going about your daily activities. The fatigue that you may feel as a result of this condition can lead to symptoms such as insomnia, depression, memory loss and severe joint pain.

Does chronic Lyme disease get worse?

Chronic Lyme disease can cause serious complications and lead to other conditions that develop from it such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Alzheimer’s disease. Once you start experiencing these complications, then the condition is likely to develop into something much more severe that proves more difficult for a doctor to treat successfully.

How soon after a tick bite do you need antibiotics?

If an infected tick bites you, it is important that you see a doctor as soon as possible so that he can prescribe antibiotics for you. The reason for this is that any delay in taking antibiotics can result in the infected tick sucking your blood more and making it more difficult for your body to fight off the infection. The longer the tick stays on your skin, the greater your chance of getting Lyme disease infection.