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Lyme Disease DiagnosisLyme Disease InfoAs of yet, the most reliable method of diagnosing Lyme disease is considered to be that of a clinical exam completed by an experienced practitioner. Elements such as personal account symptoms and history, as well as possible exposure to tick-infested areas are all significant areas to consider during this exam. The Erythema Migrans (EM) rash, which is not found in all cases, is also considered to make a sufficient enough diagnosis of the disease and therefore prompt treatment without further testing being necessary. The successful management and treatment of Lyme disease - as with any other disease - rests mainly upon early and accurate diagnosis. This is why a proper and understood diagnosis must be done immediately when risk factors or symptoms of the disease are found. The only absolute positive way in which Lyme disease can be diagnosed is through a blood or tissue test, however in most cases, it is not possible to isolate and culture Borrelia burgdorferi, which is the spirochete that causes the Lyme disease itself. Also, the blood test cannot diagnose the disease alone, in that the signs and symptoms reported by the patient must go hand-in-hand with the blood and tissue sample analysis. Lyme disease is often incredibly hard to diagnose, due to the fact that its signs and symptoms mimic those of numerous other diseases. The flu-like symptoms which often accompany the onset of Lyme disease can easily be mistaken for viral infections, such as influenza or infectious mononucleosis. Other symptoms of Lyme disease such as joint pain can also be mistaken for other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease is most often based on the patient's personal history, as well as recent admittance of exposure to possible tick-infested areas. In most cases, the diagnosis of Lyme disease is relied upon the signs and symptoms reported by the patient. The first stage of Lyme disease is called early Lyme disease, and this usually causes symptoms such as fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and erythema migrans. The second stage of Lyme disease is known as early disseminated Lyme disease, and this means that the infection of bacteria is basically spreading and is beginning to affect certain body functions. The third and final stage of Lyme disease is called late (or chronic) Lyme disease, and can occur anywhere from weeks to years after initial infection. Filed under: Lyme Disease Diagnosis |
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