Lyme disease can be tricky to diagnose as the signs and symptoms can look like many other health problems. This bacterial infection is spread through the bite of a young deer tick or black-legged tick. These eight-legged creatures, about the size of a poppy seed, can be found in wooded and grassy areas throughout the United States, including in Southeast Missouri. 

Because these ticks are so small, most people don’t realize when they’re bitten. But the longer a tick stays attached to you, the more likely it is to transmit a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorfri. If not identified and treated, Lyme disease can lead to problems with your joints, heart and nervous system, as well as your memory.

EBO MD can test for Lyme disease if the following symptoms arise within the first month after a tick bite:

• Rash at the site of the tick bite that may look like a bullseye
• Headaches
• Fever
• Muscle ache
• Fatigue

Symptoms that may show up in the weeks or months after a tick bite include:

• Dizziness
• Nerve pain
• Shortness of breath
• Additional rashes on other parts of the body
• Facial palsy
• Tingling in the hands and feet
• Severe joint pain or swelling
• Racing heart
• Problems with your short-term memory

There are several options available to test for Lyme disease. A Western blot test uses electricity to split certain proteins in your blood into patterns. This is then compared to the pattern of people known to have the disease. An ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test looks for your immune system’s response to the bacteria that causes the disease in the form of antibodies. Tests using urine or other bodily fluids are not approved by the FDA.

Diagnostic testing, such as a Lyme disease test, gathers information critical to correct diagnosis and the monitoring of conditions that can drastically affect your life. This test must be sent out for analysis so there is an additional fee not covered by your membership. 

Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.