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Western blot vs elisa for lyme11/9/2023 ![]() ![]() You'll probably see a bull's eye rash on your body. You might have Itching all over your body Chills, fever, and light headedness Or perhaps a Headache, muscle pain, and a stiff neck. So, how do you know for sure that you have Lyme disease? The flu-like symptoms of Lyme disease usually start days or weeks after you've been bitten. ![]() But most people bitten by a tick do NOT get Lyme disease. Many people with Lyme disease never even see a tick on their body. The bad news is that blacklegged ticks are so small they're almost impossible to see. The good news is that usually a tick has to be attached to your body for 24 to 36 hours to infect you. You can get the disease if you are bitten by an infected tick, mostly in northeastern states and on the West Coast. The ticks pick up the bacteria when they bite mice or deer that are infected with Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The tick can make you seriously ill with Lyme disease. Having a tick attached to your body isn't just getting a little too close to nature. So the next time you're out in the woods or high grass, wear protective clothing, and do check yourself for ticks once you get home. Without treatment, you can have heart, muscle, and even nerve problems. If it's caught early, Lyme disease is pretty easily treated. Pain medicines from the drug store can help soothe your joint stiffness. To treat Lyme disease, you may need to take antibiotics for up to a month. One of these tests is called the ELISA test, and you'll often have a second test called the Western blot test to confirm you have Lyme disease. A doctor will test your blood for antibodies that are trying to fight the bacteria in your blood. Eventually, your muscles might move strangely, you may feel numbness or tingling, and you may start to have trouble speaking. You might even notice your heart skipping some beats. Your knees and other joints may swell and hurt. After a few weeks, the muscles in your face might feel weak or even paralyzed. Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken).Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin).Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include: Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Only a positive Western blot test can confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease.įor many people, the ELISA test remains positive, even after they have been treated for Lyme disease and no longer have symptoms.Ī positive ELISA test may also occur with certain diseases not related to Lyme disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. A positive ELISA result must be followed up with a Western blot test. But, this does not confirm a diagnosis of Lyme disease. This means antibodies were seen in your blood sample. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.Ī positive ELISA result is abnormal. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. If the ELISA test is negative, usually no other testing is needed. This means none or few antibodies to Lyme disease were seen in your blood sample. The test is done to help confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease.Ī negative test result is normal. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. You do not need special steps to prepare for this test. ![]()
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