Are There Any Risks To Lyme Disease Tests
There is very little risk to having a blood test or a lumbar puncture.
With a blood test, you may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
With a CSF test, you may feel a little pinch or pressure when the needle is inserted. After the test, you may feel some pain or tenderness in your back where the needle was inserted.
You may also have some bleeding at the site or get a headache. The headache may last for several hours or up to a week or more, but your provider may suggest treatment to help relieve the pain.
What Do Testing Kits Typically Include
Depending on the method of collection, testing kits may include:
- a device to collect the blood, urine, or saliva sample
- a container to ship the sample back to the lab
- a shipping label
Some kits come with a bandage, wipes, and a biohazard bag. Kits may contain extras such as Styrofoam holders, labels, or tubes with varying solutions inside.
Fast Testing For Lyme Disease
If you have knowingly been bitten by a tick recently, or you believe you are starting to feel the symptoms of lyme disease, its a good idea to see a health care provider for a test. However, youll want to go quickly, so you may not always want to wait for a doctors appointment. We can help.
Our urgent care clinic offers same-day service to those who are in need of lyme disease testing. Open seven days a week for up to 12 hours each day, MEDIQ Urgent Care is here for you. Your comfort and and well-being are our number one priority. Come visit us in Greensboro or Winston-Salem today!
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What Is An At
An at-home Lyme disease test will typically be a blood finger prick test.
If you have been exposed to the bacteria Borrelia that leads to the infection of Lyme disease, your body will have created one or two antibodies to fight it off. The test will look for the presence of both types of antibodies, known as immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G .
You will receive your test kit along with account information so that you can get your test results as soon as theyre ready. Follow the manufacturers instructions exactly as they are described.
Each test has different instructions, so its important to read the kits detailed information before getting started.
- swollen lymph nodes
Lyme disease that remains unnoticed or untreated can go on to progress to disseminated Lyme disease. With disseminated Lyme disease, symptoms can also include neurologic conditions, such as cranial nerve palsy and meningitis that mimics aseptic meningitis. Heart inflammation can also be a sign of Lyme disease.
You may want to get tested for Lyme disease if youre experiencing symptoms and you either:
- know you were bitten by a tick
- recently spent time in an area where ticks are common
However, if youre currently experiencing a bulls-eye rash, its best to go to a doctor rather than take an at-home test. Thats because the outlook for Lyme disease is best when treated early.
When choosing at-home Lyme disease tests to feature, we looked at:
- ease of directions
- Collection method: blood
- Results: 25 days
What If Your Lyme Disease Test Is Positive
Its important to note that a positive result doesnt mean you have a diagnosis of Lyme disease. The tests will show that antibodies are present in your blood, but a doctor will need to order another type of test before you get an official diagnosis.
If someone gets a positive at-home test, definitely see your doctor, says Puja Uppal, DO, a board certified family medicine physician and the chief medical officer at Think Healthy.
A doctor will likely order both an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a Western blot test, which check for antibodies specific to Borrelia burgdorferi. They will consider the results of both these tests, along with your symptoms, to make an accurate diagnosis.
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Polymerase Chain Reaction May Help In Some Situations
Molecular assays are not part of the standard evaluation and should be used only in conjunction with serologic testing. These tests have high specificity but lack consistent sensitivity.
That said, PCR testing may be useful:
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In early infection, before antibody responses develop
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In reinfection, when serologic tests are not reliable because the antibodies persist for many years after an infection in many patients
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In endemic areas where serologic testing has high false-positive rates due to high baseline population seropositivity for anti-Borrelia antibodies caused by subclinical infection.
PCR assays that target plasmid-borne genes encoding outer surface proteins A and C and VisE are more sensitive than those that detect chromosomal 16s ribosomal ribonucleic acid genes, as plasmid-rich blebs are shed in larger concentrations than chromosomal DNA during active infection. However, these plasmid-contained genes persist in body tissues and fluids even after the infection is cleared, and their detection may not necessarily correlate with ongoing disease. Detection of chromosomal 16s rRNA genes is a better predictor of true organism viability.
The disadvantage of PCR is that a positive result does not always mean active infection, as the DNA of the dead microbe persists for several months even after successful treatment.
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Treatment At Physicianone Urgent Care
If you have been bitten by a tick or suspect you may have been bitten by one, visit PhysicianOne Urgent Care for prompt treatment from experienced practitioners. We can evaluate your symptoms, assess your rash , and offer a comprehensive treatment plan that meets your needs. We have urgent care facilities located in Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticutall of which are open seven days per week with extended hoursand we also offer convenient telehealth services where we can evaluate you through a secure videoconferencing platform.
“The overall care I received was excellent! I also appreciate your affiliation with Yale New Haven Hospital.”
“Throughout the visit I felt like the staff really cared. The Doctor took his time talking with me about my symptoms, and I felt like he listened to all my concerns and took that into consideration when recommending the right treatment. Thank you!”
“I had to take my son in for an ear infection following a sudden change in temperament at daycare. He was inconsolable the entire car ride but when we got there and by the time we left this care facility he was back to his normal happy go lucky little two year old boy. I highly recommend PhysicianOne Urgent Care.”
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Is Lyme Disease Common
Lyme disease is fairly common in the United States with more than 300,000 people diagnosed with Lyme disease each year.
Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose, and it is often misdiagnosed as other illnesses. Lack of testing for Lyme disease can lead to the development of chronic Lyme disease, which often cannot be cured, only treated.
If you suspect you could have Lyme disease, come into Fast Track Urgent Care today for a fast, affordable Lyme test. Early detection could mean the difference between a cure and a lifetime of health ailments.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A positive ELISA result is abnormal. This means antibodies were seen in your blood sample. But, this does not confirm a diagnosis of Lyme disease. A positive ELISA result must be followed up with a Western blot test. Only a positive Western blot test can confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease.
For many people, the ELISA test remains positive, even after they have been treated for Lyme disease and no longer have symptoms.
A positive ELISA test may also occur with certain diseases not related to Lyme disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
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What Is Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread by a tick bite. The bacteria that causes the disease are Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii and the specific breed of tick that spreads the disease is the black legged tick, most commonly referred to as a deer tick.
In order for the disease to be transmitted, a tick must generally be attached for 36 hours or more. Only a small percentage of deer ticks actually carry the disease, but it is still important to check yourself and take measures to avoid being bitten.
Quidel Rapid Lyme Disease Tests Now Available In All Clearchoicemd Urgent Care Centers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 476,000 people across the country contract Lyme disease each year. The Northeast has had some of the highest incidences of Lyme in the U.S. in recent years, and that trend is likely to continue as tick season begins earlier and earlier due to warmer winters.
Lyme disease is spread by the bite of the blacklegged tick, commonly known as deer ticks. Many people who contract Lyme disease never see a tick, a tick bite, or the bulls-eye rash most commonly associated with the disease. They may just feel the symptoms of Lyme disease. Left undiagnosed and untreated, Lyme disease can be debilitating or deadly. Symptoms can mimic other conditions such as: flu, mono, chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia. For this reason, Lyme disease cannot be diagnosed on clinical symptoms alone laboratory testing is needed to confirm a case of Lyme disease.
ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care centers now offer The Quidel rapid Lyme test to detect Lyme disease. The test is fast and easy. If you are experiencing symptoms of Lyme disease, visit your nearest CCMD center. A healthcare professional will collect a drop of blood from a simple finger prick. Test results will be back in less than 15 minutes. If you test positive, a second test will be required to confirm the result.
Preventing Tick Bites
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What Are The Symptoms Of Lyme Disease
Early stage : The most common early symptom is a rash where the tick was attached. It often, but not always, starts as a small red area that spreads outward, clearing up in the center so it looks like a donut. Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, stiff neck, sore and aching muscles and joints, fatigue and swollen glands may also occur. Even though these symptoms may go away by themselves, without medical treatment, some people will get the rash again in other places on their bodies, and many will experience more serious problems. Treatment during the early stage prevents later, more serious problems.
Later stages : If untreated, people with Lyme disease can develop late-stage symptoms even if they never had a rash. The joints, nervous system and heart are most commonly affected.
- About 60% of people with untreated Lyme disease get arthritis in their knees, elbows and/or wrists. The arthritis can move from joint to joint and become chronic.
- Many people who dont get treatment develop nervous system problems. These problems include meningitis , facial weakness or other problems with nerves of the head, and weakness or pain in the hands, arms, feet and/or legs. These symptoms can last for months, often shifting between mild and severe.
- The heart also can be affected in Lyme disease, with slowing down of the heart rate and fainting. The effect on the heart can be early or late.
What Signs And Symptoms Do You Need To Watch Out For To Know If You Have Lyme Disease
There are a number of signs and symptoms that you should be on the lookout for to know if you have been infected with Lyme disease. These symptoms may depend on which stage of infection you are already in, so it is best that you consult with your trusted medical health care provider to prevent further infection. Within three to thirty days after a bite from an infected tick, you may have chills, headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, fatigue, or in the absence of rashes, you may experience having your lymph nodes swollen. Erythema migrains rash occurs at the site where the infected tick has bitten you, characterized by its bulls eye appearance as it expands and enlarges around the bite site. If it has been days to months already since you have been bitten by an infected tick, you may feel arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, facial palsy, nerve pain, severe headaches, neck stiffness, and other such conditions. When you find yourself experiencing any or all of these signs and symptoms, seek medical help with Diligent Urgent Care.
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How To Recognize Lyme Disease
As soon as you know you have Lyme disease, you need to look for an urgent care clinic immediately. These things can cause you serious trouble if not treated immediately. But how will you find out if you have it? Well a rash that looks like a bulls eye should be an indication that you have the disease. It looks like a ring that grows bigger. But you have to take it to a physician in order to confirm it. So if you see a red ring growing on your leg, back or face that grows bigger, it is most likely an early form of Lyme disease.
What Kind Of Tests Are Done To Assess If You Have Lyme Disease
A number of factors must be taken into consideration in assessing a person who may have been infected with Lyme disease. First, one should take note of the signs and symptoms present in the patient that is related to Lyme disease. Also in consideration is the exposure to infected ticks and other illnesses present that may have similar symptoms. A two-step testing process is required when getting laboratory tests for Lyme disease. Using a blood sample, the patient will be tested and if found with negative results, the second step can be done without. However, if the patient is found to have positive or indeterminate laboratory results, a second testing is required. To determine if the patient has Lyme disease, the first and second test must concur with a positive or equivocal test result. Know if you are infected with Lyme disease by scheduling an appointment with Diligent Urgent Care today.
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Fast Quality Care From Mediq Urgent Care
Our goal is to bring peace of mind to the people of our community. So, if youre located in the Piedmont Triad, stop by one of our clinics today! Thanks to our convenient locations and our extended evening and weekend hours, MEDIQ Urgent is the ideal solution for your lyme disease testing needs.
We accept most major insurance plans, making it easy to be seen at our office. And, if you dont have insurance, we offer straight-forward costs. to see our worry-free pricing chart and get a better idea of what you would pay out-of-pocket on the day of your visit.
Visit us at MEDIQ Urgent Care in Greensboro or Winston-Salem today! Just walk in, or check in online below to save time. Want to make your first visit move a bit more quickly? Download our registration form and bring the completed copy with you to our office.
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Diagnosis & Treatment Of Lyme Disease
The current initial test is a blood test that checks for antibodies formed in reaction to the disease. This is called the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. This test sometimes produces a false positive in the first few weeks. The Western blot test is typically done to confirm the diagnosis.
It can be especially difficult to detect Lyme disease in the first month of infection, which is why its essential to make a note of all of your symptoms before you visit our North Haven, CT clinic. If the disease is caught in the early stage of development, then its more likely to be treated effectively. If the disease isnt treated as soon as possible then it can cause additional problems. Some of these can be irreversible.
Protect Yourself From Tick Bites
- Avoid Wooded Areas and High Grass
- Walk in Center of Trails
- Wear long sleeves and pants when working with brush or in other common area of ticks
- Use repellents that contain 20-30% DEET
- Use products that contain 0.5% permethrin on clothing.
- Examine clothes, backpacks and pets after coming back from any outdoor activity
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Serological Testing Of Csf For The Diagnosis Of Neurological Lyme Disease
Serological testing for neurological Lyme disease is based on demonstrating intrathecal synthesis of Borrelia-specific antibodies in CSF. For laboratory testing for neurological Lyme disease, separate IgG and IgM ViraChip® serology assays are performed on CSF and paired serum and the results compared.
CSF samples must be tested in parallel with a contemporaneous serum sample and protein and immunoglobulin levels compared between the two sample types to produce a meaningful result.
For necessary sample types and volumes see Sample types for Lyme disease testing
The Blood Tests Can Have False Positives
The blood tests can trigger false positives, suggesting that you have the disease when you really dont. This can happen in up to one out of four tests.
This can lead to unnecessary treatment with antibiotics. These drugs are usually safe, but they sometimes cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. In rare cases, they can even cause dangerous allergic reactions.
Using too many antibiotics can also lead to the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. This means that bacteria in your body may get stronger and more difficult to treat with antibiotics in the future.
A false positive can also lead to more unneeded blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, and doctor visits.
If you have a false positive, you may not get treated for the real cause of your pain. For example, rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes joint pain. It can lead to permanent and severe joint damage if you do not start taking the right medicines as early as possible.
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