Lyme Disease Testing

You may be wondering whether a positive Lyme disease test means you have the infection or not. Although this test is a good indicator of the presence of the disease, a positive result is not always definitive. The first two weeks after the infection, your body will not have produced enough antibodies to produce any significant amounts of antibodies. This means that you may still be infected for several years. The antibody response to Lyme bacteria takes time, and the test may come back positive many years after the initial infection. Find out – www.zbadajkleszcza.pl/badanie-na-borelioze/

 Does a Positive Test Mean You Have Lyme Disease?

A full range of tests are available to confirm the diagnosis. Neurologists have begun to examine patients with Lyme disease to assess the density of small nerve fibers. MRIs typically use a FLAIR sequence to detect these lesions. Patients with metallic implants or pacemakers are not eligible for this type of test. After an accurate diagnosis is made, treatment can begin. MRIs are a valuable adjunct to the diagnosis, but they cannot be used as a “make-or-break” test.

The two-tiered antibody test is still the mainstay of Lyme disease testing. However, more labs are using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, which detect DNA from an infected joint or fluid. A positive PCR test almost always means you have Lyme disease. However, it’s important to note that false-negative results can occur if the lab isn’t accurate.