Lyme Disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Anybody could get a tick bite, but it is most common for people who spend a lot of time outdoors to get them.

It is important to treat Lyme Disease early, or the infection could spread further throughout your body.

Here are some symptoms of Lyme Disease:

Rash, often in a bull’s-eye pattern
Flu like symptoms
Joint pain
Weakness in the limbs

What is important for people who are concerned they might have Lyme Disease to know is that those who are infected will not have a positive blood test until approximately two to six weeks after they are bitten by the tick.

At ARCpoint Labs of Southern Maryland, we perform these tests to determine if someone has Lyme Disease…

S419: Lyme Disease Antibody w/ Reflex to Blot

Lyme Antibody Screening If Lyme disease antibody screen is positive or equivocal, then Lyme Disease antibodies (IgG, IgM) by immunoblot will be performed at an additional charge.

D261: Lyme Disease Antibody (IgG) Immunoblot

Immunoblot testing qualitatively examines with high specificity antibodies in a patient’s specimen. Immunoblot testing is appropriate for confirming a detected EIA or IFA test result.

Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA): Qualifies potential antibodies against Borrelia Burgdorferi. If the EIA is positive or equivocal, second tier immunoblotting is performed to detect antibodies against more specific B Burgdorferi Surface Proteins.

Lyme Immunofluorescense Antibody (IFA) assay detects IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies against B. Burgdorferi. Seroconversion usually occurs 2-3 weeks after infection and may remain elevated in the case of persistent disease. This test should only be performed in conjunction with Western Blots/ ImmunoBlots.

A Blood test is the most accurate and preferred test for diagnosing Lyme Disease.

Worried you might have Lyme Disease? Schedule an appointment at ARCpoint Labs of Southern Maryland to put your mind at ease.