What Type Of Doctor Treats Lyme Disease
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How Is Lyme Disease Treated
Treatment for Lyme disease involves the use of antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection. The sooner you start treatment at SivIMed Internal Medicine and Primary Care, the better your prognosis. Dr. Sivakumar prescribes a two to three-week course of oral antibiotics which should kill the infection, but if your nervous system becomes infected, you may need intravenous antibiotics too.
If you need advice on Lyme disease or have any symptoms of the condition, call SivIMed Internal Medicine and Primary Care today, or book an appointment online.
Can Lyme Disease Be Mistaken For Herpes
In their article Disseminated Lyme disease with a herpetiform center, Zhang et al.¹ described a patient who presented with a Lyme disease rash that could have been mistaken for herpes. The woman in her 30s developed a herpetiform rash, which resembles herpes lesions. Initially, the patient developed a small red bump and surrounding swelling on her back, along with a rash in her left armpit and left ipsilateral swollen lymph
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Do All Ticks Transmit Lyme Disease
In Wisconsin, there are at least 16 species of tick, but not all of them transmit disease to humans. Only one type of tick, Ixodes scapularis , carries and transmits Lyme disease. Contrary to what the ticks name might imply, deer do not transmit Lyme disease bacteria to ticks. Deer are simply a common food source for the ticks. Also, not all of the Ixodes scapularis ticks are capable of transmitting Lyme disease. Only those that carry the bacteria can transmit it.
Detecting Lyme Disease With Laboratory Tests
Lyme disease diagnosis relies on clinical observations and laboratory tests for the presence of antibodies against the B. burgdorferi bacteria. Since it can take several weeks for antibodies to develop against the bacteria, lab tests help confirm the diagnosis. If Lyme disease goes undetected and untreated, the disease will continue to progress and symptoms may appear months after the tick bite. Some patients who have untreated Lyme disease are hospitalized because the bacteria can affect the brain, the nervous system and the heart.
The CDC recommends a two-step laboratory blood sample test to accurately diagnose Lyme disease. New tests are also being developed as alternatives to the two-step process but still require review and clearance from the Food and Drug Administration.
It is not always necessary to obtain a blood test to confirm early Lyme disease since the necessary protein antibodies in the blood that make a test positive may take many days to form. Thus, it is common to have a negative blood test early in infection. If a patient is at risk and might have an infection early, it is usually better to treat for Lyme disease rather than rely on a blood test. Blood tests are more helpful for late disease that may have gone untreated early in the infection course.
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Patients Receive Last Chance At Lyme Disease Treatment
Envita is an integrative center of excellence for personalized Lyme disease treatment and after nearly 20 years, wehave clinically seen one factor remain true across most of our patients, antibiotics alone are not enough! Antibioticsare typically only effective in the very early stages of Lyme disease, but for many, this is merely the first step ofa years-long battle with increasingly debilitating symptoms ranging from fatigue and muscle pain to cognitive andneurological disorders. Over time, patients find themselves unable to live their life as they struggle to get ahead ofthis progressing disease. However, at Envita we have discovered a revolutionary solution for patients to help improvetheir quality of life.
Envita Medical Centers doesnât make any guarantee of outcomes. Results are not typical and will varyfromperson to person and should not be expected.
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How You Can Prevent Lyme Disease
While this past winter may have been frightful, researchers have found that even frigid temperatures wont make a sizable dent in the deer tick population. Knowing where, how and when Lyme disease is most often contracted can help you prevent it as these pesky, pint-sized carriers crawl out of their hiding places.
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Treatment Of Erythema Migrans Rash
People treated with appropriate antibiotics in the early stages of Lyme disease usually recover rapidly and completely. Early diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease can help prevent late Lyme disease. Treatment regimens listed in the following table are for the erythema migrans rash, the most common manifestation of early Lyme disease. These regimens may need to be adjusted depending on a persons age, medical history, underlying health conditions, pregnancy status, or allergies. Consult an infectious disease specialist regarding individual patient treatment decisions. For treating other manifestations, see www.cdc.gov/Lyme/treatment.
| 30 mg/kg per day orally, divided into 2 doses | 500 mg per dose | 14 |
*When different durations of antibiotics are shown to be effective for the treatment of Lyme disease, the shorter duration is preferred to minimize adverse effects, including infectious diarrhea and antimicrobial resistance.
NOTE: For people intolerant of amoxicillin, doxycycline, and cefuroxime, the macrolide azithromycin may be used, although it is less effective. People treated with azithromycin should be closely monitored to ensure that symptoms resolve.
What To Know About Seeing A Doctor And Getting Tested
Whatever kind of doctor you see, they will consider your medical history, your symptoms, and your Lyme disease test results when making a diagnosis. They should perform what is known as a differential diagnosis in order to rule out common misdiagnoses, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, ALS, MS, etc.
Many doctors rely on the two-tier system recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which consists of the following two blood tests:
- Western blot test
However, research shows that these tests are severely limited in accuracy and sensitivity. A LLMD may be able to help you get tested with newer and more accurate testing technology.
Lyme disease recovery starts with finding a doctor who has sufficient experience with Lyme as well as access to the right diagnostic testing. To learn more about what tests are available for Lyme disease today, including IGeneXs ImmunoBlot test, check out the blog The Best Test for Lyme Disease.
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Benefits Of Telemedicine For Lyme Disease
The study, entitled The Impact of Telemedicine in the Diagnosis of Erythema Migrans during the COVID Pandemic: A Comparison with In-Person Diagnosis in the Pre-COVID Era, compares clinical data of 439 patients with an erythema migrans rash before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.¹ Participants in the study were being treated at an Italian Dermatology Clinic. Most individuals with an EM rash were diagnosed using an in-person
What Makes Yale Medicine’s Approach To Lyme Disease Unique
The discovery of Lyme disease is actually credited to two Yale physicians, who identified it after a rash of illnesses cropped up during the summer of 1975. That year, two mothers living in Old Lyme, Conn., refused to accept the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis among the children living in their town.
The mothers reached out to the Connecticut State Department of Health and the Yale School of Medicine for help, starting a study that would ultimately uncover the bacterial infection transmitted by ticks. Today, doctors in Yale Medicines neurology department provide care for patients who have infections that affect the nervous system.
Thanks to a powerful partnership with research programs at Yale Medicine, patients benefit from the most recent advantages in treatment.
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State And Local Lyme Organizations And Nonprofits
If youre unable to find an LLMD through a national organization, consider doing a web search for a state or local Lyme organization or nonprofit. Some keywords that may generate helpful, search results for you include:
- The name of your state
For example, typing in Minnesota Lyme disease nonprofit yields the Minnesota Lyme Association , where you can then browse their website for ways to locate a physician or fill out the contact form for more help. These days, most states have some sort of site to distribute information to inquiring patients.
Are Llmds Infectious Disease Specialists
No. While it is possible for a LLMD to be an infectious disease specialist, LLMDs can come from any field or background. Many LLMDs are general practitioners or family doctors, while others may specialize in a specific type of medicine, such as naturopathic medicine.
For more information on finding a LLMD, read IGeneXs blog How to Find Doctors Who Can Help with Your Tick-Borne Disease.
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How 11 Top Nyc Doctors Missed My Lyme Disease
This is one of a series of guest blogs by people who have enrolled in MyLymeData.
A July 2014 wedding on Long Beach Island, New Jersey was the start of my nightmare.
It was a beautiful weekend filled with love for two of our dearest friends who were, after 14 years together, finally legally able to marry. There was lobster and champagne and a crazy Gordon Gekko-style house on the beach. I sang a few songs, made a toast, and cried happy tears.
I woke up two days later, back home in NYC, with a crushing head and neck ache. It was weird, but I figured I would sleep it off and be better in the morning. It took a few days, but I recovered.
That Saturday, I got out of the shower and saw a faint red circular rash on my shoulder with a bug bite in the middle. My knees buckled. I called for my husband, Andy, HUNNEEEE! I have LYME!
He really didnt think so.
I banged on my neighbors door, still in my towel, Rachel! Look! Lyme!
She told me no way.
But I knew, and I walked to the ER.
The fresh-faced doc took a quick glance at my shoulder and said it looked like Lyme, and to thank God I wasnt one of those crazy Lyme people that never gets better because they caught it too late.
I filled the CDC recommended 21 days of 200 mg of Doxycycline and fully believed Id be okay.
I followed up with an infectious disease specialist from NYU a few days later, to be safe. He reassured me that I would have no complications since I caught the bite within a week.
I was relieved.
So was I.
What Do I Need To Bring To My Appointment
- Information about any recent hospital stays Lab or diagnostic imaging reports . If you dont have the report, let us know where the lab or imaging test was performed and we can request the report for you.
- Current medications: name of the medication, dosage and milligrams.
- Questions that you would like to ask Dr. Cameron. At times patients may have a list of questions they want to ask but forget them once they get to their appointment. Were happy to answer all of your questions and a written list can help ensure we do.
- You may choose to bring a spouse, relative, or close friend with you to assist with the evaluation.
- it is helpful for you to call ahead of you appointment to ensure all necessary paperwork has been completed efficiently
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What Are The Best Tests For Lyme Disease
At the Carolina Brain Center, we recommend two tests. One is DNA Connexions, a urine test. The other is MacTech Imaging, a saliva test.
The DNA Connexions test identifies co-infections common to Lyme disease. MacTech Imaging picks up where the DNA Connexions test leaves off by giving doctors an idea of a patients overall microbial load. Each saliva sample is scanned for spirochetes and then given a graded score.
These two unique tests allow us to proceed confidently with treatment. Post-treatment analysis informs doctors as to whether a patient is clear.
Breaking Down The Barriers To Care For Lyme Disease Patients Where Other Doctors Have Failed
Lyme disease is one of the fast growing and most difficult to treat diseases in the world.Lyme patients live a life of chronic pain, with various debilitating conditions that affect the mind and body. Theseconditions leave patients searching for answers to their various symptoms, but with the lack of proper treatment, theyexperience little success. Because Lyme disease symptoms resemble that of so many other diseases and because the conventional medical community continues to be misinformed about diagnosisand treatment, stricken patients fail to receive the medical care necessary to restore their health. However, over thepast 17 years Envita has been helping patients overcome the misdiagnoses and misinformation associated withconventional and alternative medical treatment of Lyme disease.
Envita Medical Centers doesnât make any guarantee of outcomes. Results are not typical and will vary fromperson to person and should not be expected.
To help better understand the difficulty of differentiating Lyme disease from other diseases we have included a chartfrom a recent published study in the Medical Microbiology publication which shows the similarity of symptoms betweenLyme disease and other commonly misdiagnosed diseases.
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Why Lyme Disease Can Be So Hard To Diagnose And Treat
QUESTION: After feeling really miserable for many months, my doctor finally concluded I had Lyme disease. He put me on antibiotics for a month and my symptoms went away. But now that Ive stopped taking the antibiotics, Im feeling horrible again. Is this typical for Lyme disease?
ANSWER: Lyme disease can be difficult to treat especially when it is not identified right away.
It is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is spread through the bites of tiny blood-sucking ticks that hide out in grassy meadows and wooded areas. The ticks originally pick up the bacteria from infected mice and deer.
Before the 1980s, Lyme disease was unknown in Canada and very few physicians have actually seen a case first-hand, says Dr. Gregory Taylor, Canadas Chief Public Health Officer.
The early symptoms are flu-like and can include fatigue, fever, chills, headaches and muscle pain. That could be virtually anything, says Dr. Taylor.
Some patients will get a distinctive bulls-eye rash around the site of the bite, but others do not.
The rather vague and varied symptoms add to the difficulty of making an accurate diagnosis. To make matters worse, the laboratory tests that check for the bodys production of antibodies to the infection can be difficult to interpret.
They are losing their jobs, their homes, their life savings everything, says Mr. Wilson, who was sick for three years before a doctor identified his symptoms as Lyme disease.
A Pioneer In Lyme Disease
Our program is led by Allen Steere, MD, one of the worldâs foremost experts on Lyme disease. Dr. Steere discovered the illness in 1976 and laid the foundation for understanding the many manifestations of the disease, including Lyme arthritis .
Today, Dr. Steere is researching why some patients with Lyme arthritis have persistent joint inflammation after using antibiotic therapy to eliminate the Lyme disease bacterium. This research is leading to improved diagnostic and treatment capabilities for such patients.
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The Infectious Disease Clinic At Ahn: Why Choose Us
Our team includes physicians who completed extra training in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases. This training, combined with our years of experience, helps you receive the best care right from the start.
When needed, we also provide more care options, such as clinical trials for new medications. Other highlights of our program include:
- Safety: We follow national care guidelines. These guidelines make sure you receive antibiotics with a proven track record for safety and effectiveness. Our high standards mean our infectious disease doctors successfully treat a broad range of conditions with fewer side effects, including Lyme disease. For Lyme disease, we strictly adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention treatment guidelines.
- Accurate diagnosis: We use molecular testing techniques that offer a high degree of accuracy and rapid results in certain conditions.
- Team approach: Our physicians work alongside pharmacists specializing in infectious disease. Together, theyâll help you receive the medications that are most appropriate for your diagnosis â even if youâre allergic to certain antibiotics. If you are on antibiotics for a long time, we monitor your care to lower the risk of complications.
About The Lifespan Lyme Disease Center
The Lifespan Lyme Disease Center is a unique, multidisciplinary center entirely dedicated to the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Our team of infectious disease specialists is highly experienced in treating patients with acute Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and other tick-borne diseases.
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Why You Might Need To See A Llmd:
- Your Lyme disease test results were negative, but you still have symptoms of Lyme disease.
- Youve been treated for Lyme disease in the past but still have symptoms, which could indicate chronic Lyme disease.
- Youve been treated or are being treated for common misdiagnoses of Lyme disease, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but your symptoms havent gone away.
- Your physician doesnt believe in Lyme disease, chronic Lyme disease, or Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.
Even patients who dont fall into the above categories may simply feel safer in the hands of a LLMD who is familiar with the various ways Lyme and other tick-borne diseases present themselves.