Lyme Disease Treatments Hauppauge NY

Find top doctors who perform Lyme Disease Treatments in Hauppauge, NY. Whether you’re seeking treatment or looking to schedule a preventative screening, we can connect you with the best dermatologists near you in Hauppauge, NY.

Local Businesses

Lyme Disease Treatments FAQ in Hauppauge, NY

What diseases mimic Lyme disease?

Called the “great imitator,” Lyme disease can present a variety of symptoms that mimic a wide range of illnesses, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, insomnia, and autoimmune disorders such as RA and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

What does the beginning of Lyme disease feel like?

Early Lyme disease may feel like the flu: fever, sore muscles, headache and fatigue. Some people may develop a highly distinctive rash, which may look like a bull’s-eye. However, many people with Lyme never knew they were bitten and never developed a rash. The CDC reports that rashes occur in 60-80% of cases.

When should you get tested for Lyme disease?

You may need a test if you have symptoms of infection and were exposed or possibly exposed to ticks that carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The first symptoms of Lyme disease usually show up between 3 and 30 days after the tick bite.

Does Lyme disease destroy your immune system?

Lyme disease weakens the immune system, making it unable to produce antibodies. There isn’t a way to make your body produce more or better antibodies. However, you can get healthy antibodies from donors.

How does your body feel when you have Lyme disease?

Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on the stage of infection. These include fever, rash, facial paralysis, and arthritis. The appearance of the erythema migrans rash can vary widely. Erythema migrans (EM) rash (see photos):

What does Lyme disease do to your organs?

Lyme disease can affect the heart. This can lead to an irregular heart rhythm, which can cause dizziness or heart palpitations. It can also spread to the nervous system, causing facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy) or meningitis. The last stage of Lyme disease happens if the early stages weren’t found or treated.

How does a doctor tell if you have Lyme disease?

A doctor will test your blood for antibodies that are trying to fight the bacteria in your blood. 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.

Can untreated Lyme disease be cured?

Without early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment, Lyme disease can cause many serious long-term health complications. But even people with late-stage Lyme disease can recover fully with the right treatment. It may take longer to get back to normal, and you may need several courses of medication.

Where does Lyme disease come from?

Lyme disease is an illness caused by borrelia bacteria. Humans usually get Lyme disease from the bite of a tick carrying the bacteria. Ticks that can carry borrelia bacteria live throughout most of the United States. But Lyme disease is most common in the upper Midwest and the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states.

What is the fastest way to cure Lyme disease?

Antibiotic pills The standard treatment for Lyme disease is an antibiotic taken as a pill. The treatment usually lasts 10 to 14 days. Treatment may be longer depending on your symptoms. It’s important to take all pills as directed even if you’re feeling better.

What part of the body does Lyme disease affect?

Lyme disease can affect different body systems, such as the nervous system, joints, skin, and heart. The symptoms of Lyme disease are often described as happening in three stages.

Is it hard to diagnose Lyme disease?

Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose because early symptoms of fever, severe fatigue, and achiness are also common in many other illnesses. In addition, diagnostic blood tests are not always dependable, particularly in early disease.

Can Lyme disease be picked up in a blood test?

Blood tests which look for antibodies to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease are the main test. This is known as serology. If antibodies have not developed sufficiently, it is possible for these tests to be negative despite active infection.

Can you get rid of Lyme disease?

Although most cases of Lyme disease can be cured with a 2- to 4-week course of oral antibiotics, patients can sometimes have symptoms of pain, fatigue, or difficulty thinking that lasts for more than 6 months after they finish treatment. This condition is called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).

Is Lyme disease serious if caught early?

If diagnosed in the early stages, Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics. Without treatment, complications involving the joints, heart, and nervous system can occur. But these symptoms are still treatable and curable.