University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Lyme disease

Diagnosis of Lyme Disease

Author/s:

Pitrak, D, Nguyen, C. T., Cifu, A. S.

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Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the US, occurring predominantly in the Northeast, the upper Midwest, and Northern California, with increasing incidence and geographic range.1 Lyme disease can cause a skin lesion at the site of the initial tick bite as well as disseminated disease, including neuropathy, meningitis, acute myocarditis/pericarditis (often with associated conduction abnormalities), and arthritis. Accurate diagnosis is the first step in the optimal management of Lyme disease.

Keywords

Lyme disease diagnosis US tick-borne illness

Is It Possible to Make a Correct Diagnosis of Lyme Disease on Symptoms Alone? Review of Key Issues and Public Health Implications

Author/s:

Baker, PJ

There is much confusion and misinformation about the diagnosis of Lyme disease, as well as its treatment. This review explains why one cannot make a correct diagnosis of Lyme disease based on symptoms alone. It also provides evidence to support the validity of two-tier testing for the laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease. The public health consequences of failing to consider these issues are discussed.

Keywords

Diagnosis of Lyme disease Lyme disease public health implications symptoms of Lyme disease treatment of Lyme disease