[at-l] Ticks and telephones

[bennett.ken at gmail.com (Ken Bennett)]

>
> Do not depend on the lab test for diagnosis, or for the classic bull's 
> eye rash (barely in 60% of cases). Fatigue, malaise and fever are 
> probably better indications of a need for evaluation or treatment.


I had Lyme disease this summer. Nasty thing, that. My understanding 
from dealing with an infectious disease specialist here is that the 
only definitive way to know that you have had Lyme disease is to have 
two LD tests approximately 6-8 weeks apart. The lab can tell from the 
differences between the two tests whether or not you've been infected.

Meanwhile, of course, if you have any brains at all, you've been to the 
doctor several times, the ER once, and the infectious disease guy 
twice. None of them believe that you have LD. Oh, yeah, you're really 
sick, and you have a round rash on your calf, and a really high fever 
-- and we'll treat for an unexplained bacteria infection just in case 
-- but you don't have Lyme Disease. That's really rare.

(Big surprise when they get the second test back from the Mayo clinic 
and it's positive. Hmm.)


So, on to your problem. Please don't go getting a Lyme Disease test 
every time you get to a town. One, it's expensive. Two, they'll think 
you're a nut. Three, it won't tell you anything.

If you get really, really sick -- high fever, chills, vomiting, 
shaking, tremors, immense fatigue, inability to work/walk/stand up -- 
then go to a doctor and tell her that you've been in tick-infested 
places and to please give you a two-week dose of the proper antibiotic 
(doxycycline, IIRC). You may or may not have a rash of any sort.

Other than that, don't worry about it. Really. I've been walking in the 
central and southern Appalachians for many years, and very, very few 
people get LD. It really is very rare. And having had it won't stop me 
from going back out into the woods.

You should be far more worried about pizza and ice cream on the trail. 
Enjoy your hike.

Ken
Big Cranky
---------------------------------------

Ken Bennett
http://photoserver.facilities.wfu.edu/hiking/