Sooo - I was diagnosed with Lyme a few years back after a second blood test (the first didn't show the infection). The Hospital didn't take me serious until the large Bulls Eye rash surrounding my groin showed up - that's when they gave me the "full" test. It was frightening to see how they didn't take it serious until I had an actual visual rash and that they had a more thorough test but didn't use that one first! In any event, a few days ago I pulled another tick off of my upper leg and the bite is painful and red. Can you get Lyme again? Does it ever go away? I have symptoms from my first infection still (i.e., debilitating fatigue to the point where I have to lie down and go to sleep at random points during the day). Will these symptoms subside? Now I'm hearing about all kinds of NEW diseases passed along by Ticks - will I be tested for these as well when I get my blood work done for this past tick bite? Thank you :)
Sorry for the huge, discusting pic!
I'm not offended by the pic. It's okay! I think any tick bite is worth a look from your doctor if you are worried about it. For most people, the symptoms do get better with the initial round of oral antibiotics. The other tick borne illnesses are not very common to get and are not usually tested for in the first round of blood work unless the patient has the right symptoms.
This link has another link listed about halfway down the page. I couldn't figure out how to link it directly, but it's called the "Acute Tick-borne disease testing algorithm". It's from the Mayo Clinic and it's pretty easy to follow, even for lay people. It might help you understand the testing criteria better. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Overview/83265
Hopefully this information is helpful.