Lyme disease - what to ask your doctor

Definition

You may get Lyme disease when you are bitten by a tick that has been infected with the germ (bacteria) that causes Lyme disease. The disease can cause a ?bull?s eye? rash, chills, fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain.

Below are some questions you may want to ask your doctor or nurse about Lyme disease.

See also: Lyme disease

Alternate Names

What to ask your doctor about Lyme disease

Questions

Where on my body am I most likely to get a tick bite?

• How large are ticks and tick bites? If I have a tick bite, will I always get Lyme disease?
• Can I get Lyme disease even if I never noticed a tick bite on my body?
• What can I do to prevent getting tick bites when I am in a wooded or grassy area?
• In what areas of the US am I more likely to get a tick bite or Lyme disease? At what time of the year is the risk higher?
• Should I remove a tick if I find one on my body? What is the proper way to remove a tick bite? Should I save the tick?

If I get Lyme disease from a tick bite, what symptoms will I have?

• Will I always have symptoms soon after getting Lyme disease (early or primary Lyme disease)? Will these symptoms get better if I am treated with antibiotics?
• If I do not get symptoms right away, can I get symptoms later? How much later? Are these symptoms the same as the early symptoms? Will these symptoms get better if I am treated with antibiotics?
• If I am treated for Lyme disease, will I ever have symptoms again? If I do, will these symptoms get better if I am treated with antibiotics?

How can my doctor diagnose me with Lyme disease? Can I be diagnosed even if I do not remember having a tick bite?

What are the antibiotics used to treat Lyme disease? How long do I need to take them? What are the side effects?

Will I have a full recovery from my Lyme disease symptoms?

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References