Lyme disease
Alternate Names : Borreliosis
Symptoms & Signs
Not everyone infected with these bacteria gets ill. If a person does become ill, the first symptoms resemble the flu and include: There may be a "bulls eye" rash, a flat or slightly raised red spot at the site of the tick bite. Often there is a clear area in the center. It can be larger than 1 - 3 inches wide.
Symptoms in people with the later stages of the disease include: Note: Deer ticks can be so small that they are almost impossible to see. Many people with Lyme disease never even saw a tick.
Diagnosis & Tests
A blood test can be done to check for antibodies to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The most commonly used is the ELISA for Lyme disease test. A western blot test is done to confirm ELISA results. A physical exam may show joint, heart, or brain problems in people with advanced Lyme disease.
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