Lyme disease tests
Explanation
Lyme disease tests usually look for antibodies in blood. These are proteins the immune system makes in response to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The result is assessed together with symptoms, possible exposure to ticks and when the illness began.
Can an early test be negative?
Yes. The body takes time to make enough antibodies for the test to detect. A negative result in the first few weeks does not reliably rule out Lyme disease. A clinician may decide whether later testing would help, based on the symptoms and timing.
Does a positive result mean the infection is active?
Not necessarily. Antibodies can remain for months or years after an earlier infection. Other conditions can sometimes cause a positive result too. A positive antibody test alone cannot establish that Lyme disease is causing current symptoms. Repeating the antibody test does not show whether treatment has cured the infection.
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